Lawrence Edward Rice – January 2, 2023

September 22, 1927 –- January 2, 2023

Retired U.S. Army Command Sergeant Major Rice, 95, departed from us on January 2, 2023.

He was a resident of Widefield Colorado for 49 years.

Lawrence Edward Rice was born on September 22, 1927 in Troy, Montana to William and Blanche Rice. He was the 4^th of 7 children.

In January 1945 at the age of 17 Lawrence was inducted into the U.S. Army. His first deployment was in the Pacific Theater during the closing months of WWII. He would go on to serve in the Korean and Vietnam wars. Lawrence achieved the rank of Command Sergeant Major and was a highly decorated and career Army soldier. Lawrence retired from the military in 1976 after 31 years of service. During his tenure he was awarded 16 medals and accommodations including the Bronze Star, the Legion of Merit, and multiple Meritorious Service medals.

After retirement, Lawrence joined the El Paso County Forestry Department. He served our community for almost two decades to include serving as the Chairman of the El Paso County Forestry and Weed Advisory Commission. Lawrence also served as a guest instructor at Colorado State University where he taught forestry. Lawrence always had a love for our national forests and worked hard to keep El Paso County forests healthy.

Lawrence met the love of his life, Anna Marie Schertz while stationed in Germany. They married and had only one daughter, Anita Louis Rice-Lewis (deceased). Lawrence lost Anna in 2009 to complications from Multiple Sclerosis. They were married for 56 years.

Lawrence is survived by his four grandchildren, Antony Guidry (58), Lawrence Guidry (55), Annamarie Jefferson (48), and Kurt Ganter (46).

Funeral Service for Command Sergeant Major Lawrence Edward Rice will be held at Pikes Peak National Cemetery on Friday, January 27^th, 2023 at noon.

In lieu of flowers, Lawrence wishes donations be sent to the Gary Sinise Foundation (https://www.garysinisefoundation.org), or any other veterans assistance organization.