Ross' Grandpa Ted passed away this week. He had been declining for months and the last couple weeks mostly just slept until he passed away peacefully in the night on Tuesday, June 12. We loved Grandpa Ted very much. He was always so excited to see Ross and the boys, and played catch with them whenever we came to visit.
The last time we were able to see him in person was last year, February 2017. He and Bea have been living at a care center in Northern Arizona near Ross' uncle Ben and parents. We will miss him a lot, he was always a lot of fun to be around.
Ross' dad wrote the obituary and has done most of the funeral and event planning. Because of scheduling conflicts, Ted's services won't be held until July 14 but luckily we will be able to head to the Arizona heat to participate and say farewell. Lucky we can attend, not lucky for the heat.
Grandpa Ted's Obituary
********
Theodore T. Rice, age 87, quietly passed away on June 12, 2018 in Cottonwood, AZ. Ted was born in Denver, Colorado on August 31, 1930. His parents were Clarence J. Rice and Appleine Green Rice. Ted grew up in Denver where he was actively engaged in sports. He was a star athlete on the Manual High School baseball and basketball teams. After high school as he was entering semi-professional baseball, he was drafted and served in the U.S. Navy as a medic in the Korean War. He spent considerable time stationed in Japan and off the Korean Peninsula. While in Japan he continued in athletics by playing on the Naval Base baseball team and also by boxing competitively.
Ted has two children, Robert (Suzanne) and Susan Lust from his first marriage. In 1978 Ted married Beatrice Talbot and became Step-father to Bea’s five children: Monte (Patti), Rod, Connie (Richard) Howden, Brian (Rosemary) and Ben (Joyce). Ted is survived by his wife, Bea, all seven children, 15 grandchildren (Katie Lust Stewart, Olivia Lust, Cody Talbot, Neely Talbot Judd, Katy Talbot, Julie Talbot Small, Shaw Talbot, Tessa Talbot, Railey Talbot, Ross Howden, Craig Howden, Travis Talbot, Ryan Talbot, Rachel Talbot Clark and Zac Talbot) and 14 great grandchildren (Carson Stewart, Ashlyn Talbot, Rigden Talbot, Hazen Talbot, Brock Talbot, Tyler Judd, Aiden Judd, Bryce Judd, Elliott Howden, Wyatt Howden, Quinn Howden, Isaac Howden, Jonah Howden and Luke Howden).
Ted had a great career working in the telecommunications industry and retired from Qwest as an expert telecommunications technician. Ted had an amazing devotion and love of family. He was widely known for his kindness and consideration of others. He and Bea were true sweethearts. His love for her and her love for him were unequaled. They served as a great example of true love to all those around them. Ted and Bea thoroughly enjoyed their world travels which provided them many wonderful memories. He was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in January 2017.
The funeral service will be held at 1100 am on July 14, 2018, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1430 N Recker Rd, Mesa, AZ 85205. The viewing will be at 1000 am at the same location.
Interment will be at Greenwood Memorial Park, 2300 W. Van Buren, Phoenix, AZ 85009.
