Alvist "Al" Verdell Rice

Alvist Verdell Rice passed away Friday, November 5, 2021 at the age of 88, in his hometown of Weatherford, Texas. Graveside Service: 2 p.m. Saturday, November 13, 2021 at Memory Gardens of the Valley, 5600 Mineral Wells Hwy., Weatherford. Al was born on May 9, 1933 in Colorado City, Texas to his parents, William Kirby and Stattie Cecil Rice. He attended Harden-Simmons University, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry. Al served in the U.S. Air Force and USAF Reserves from 1955 to 1965. Following USAF Cadet Training, he was based in Dover, DE serving in the Military Air Transport Service. He earned the rank of Captain as a navigator in the USAF Reserve. In 1959, Al met the love of his life, Jean Pennington, as she was singing in the choir at the First Baptist Church in Alexandria, VA. On January 16, 1960, Jean became his wife of 61 years. Together they have four children, sixteen grandchildren and twenty great-grandchildren. Al had many accomplishments during his life. From 1968 to 1989, he served the City of Willow Park, first on the Planning & Zoning Board, then as mayor and later as a commissioner. Al was an inventor and entrepreneur for which he was awarded seven various patents ranging from rocket propulsion used in early space travel to special adhesives used today in products like sticky notes and tape. Al’s joys in life came from his love for Jesus Christ and spending time with family and friends. He left his family with memories of waterskiing on Lake Weatherford; stargazing in the middle of the night; Thanksgiving dinners, Christmas Eve present opening and Easter Egg scrambles with a house full of happy and energetic grandchildren and great-grandchildren; swimming in the pool and adding bubbles to the hot tub. Al loved traveling and reading Louis L’amour books. Cancun became his favorite destination to which he traveled annually, and sometimes more often. He was preceded in death by his parents, William Kirby and Stattie Cecil Rice; son, James Kirby Rice; and grandsons, Chance Johnson and Sam Phillips. Al is survived by his wife, Jean Pennington Rice; sister, Leta LaVonne Rice Boyer; children, daughter-in-law, Pam Rice, Pam Phillips and husband, Dan, Brenda Browning and husband, Mark, and David Rice and wife, Cris; grandchildren, Chase Rice, Shauna Rice, Katie Shell, Amanda Hopper, Brandon Black, Kellie Patterson, Jodie Phillips, Chandler Rice, Jarrod Black, Drew Phillips, Madeline Lloyd, Rebecca Rice, Rachel Browning, and Luke Browning; and 20 great-grandchildren.