Jay Donald Rice, Sr
May 9, 1942 ~ July 23, 2020
Jay Donald “Donnie” Rice, Sr.
Jay Donald “Donnie” Rice, Sr., of Gainesville, Florida passed away at the age of 78 at the E.T. York Haven Hospice Care Center on Thursday, July 23, 2020 after a quick decline from an aggressive cancer. Mr. Rice was born in Gainesville on May 9, 1942 to JD Rice and Virginia Crosby Rice. His parents and his sister, Gay Rice Keys, predeceased him. Graduating from Gainesville High School in 1960, Mr. Rice played football for four years. A fullback and kicker, in his senior year he was appointed the “High Point Man” in recognition of the most points scored of any team member. Mr. Rice also was on the track team and played baseball his freshman year.
Mr. Rice attended the University of Florida, pledged Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity, and then moved to Valdosta to work in his uncle’s bicycle shop. After moving back to Gainesville, Mr. Rice began working in his father’s hardware store, Rice Hardware, which JD Rice owned and operated since 1936. After learning the business from his dad, Mr. Rice purchased Rice Hardware in 1974, and opened a second hardware store and a bicycle shop. He closed Rice Hardware, located at Southwest First Avenue, in 2001, finally earning a well-deserved retirement.
Mr. Rice was a 32-year member of the local Elks Lodge and treasured his time there and his many friendships. He was also a booster member for P.K. Yonge Developmental Research School while supporting one of his son’s passion for baseball. An avid Gator Football fan, Mr. Rice was a long-time season ticket holder and enjoyed tailgating with friends and family. He had a weekend getaway in Crystal River, Florida and spent many weekends deep sea fishing with friends in the Gulf of Mexico.
Mr. Rice’s legacy in the Gainesville community will not soon be forgotten. His contributions as a businessman and community advocate were substantial – too numerous to mention here. Mr. Rice was not only an honest businessman with high integrity, he was a friend to many, a loving father, and a kind and generous person. He was fortunate to spend his last Father’s Day with his children, grandchildren, and nieces.
Mr. Rice is survived by four children, Elizabeth Phyllis “Beth” Rice of Orlando, FL; Jay Donald “Donnie” Rice Jr. and his wife Gina of Gainesville, FL; Robert “Michael” Rice and his wife Ragen of Baton Rouge, LA; and Melissa Renee Rice of Gainesville, FL; six grandchildren, Sara-Margaret Shure of Tampa, FL; Phillip Dickson Shure of Orlando, FL; Nathan Robert Slater of Gainesville, FL; and Bella Renee Rice, Lola Grace Rice and Campton Michael Rice of Baton Rouge, LA; two nieces, Virginia C. Gray of Irving, TX; and Patricia G. Holt of Indianapolis, IN; the mothers of his children, Margaret Goff Cunningham and Donna Kinard Rice; and his miniature dachshund of sixteen years, Duke.
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Love you Dad
You taught me to work hard and to do everything to the best of my ability and I’m very appreciative of these life lessons.  I will always cherish our fishing and hunting trips we shared together.  I love you and are blessed to have you as my dad!
Love Michael Rice
I love you Donnie Rice. I miss you.
My husband Bruce and I love Donnie and had some really good times with him. Great guy, good friend and will be so missed. Thoughts and prayers to your family
So sorry to hear about Don passing. Although much older than I, I've been fortunate in having known and been around Don virtually my entire life. He was always a very caring, friendly man who enjoyed a good joke and laugh. I will certainly miss him. Rest in piece, friend.
Mr. Rice was a wonderful friend and neighbor. Joe and I will miss him.
Sending love and prayers to his family. 🙏💕
My condolences to your family. I’m a GHS classmate of Donnie’s and have fond memories. May he Rest In Peace.
I did not know Mr. Rice but knowing his daughter Beth and what an amazing woman she is I can only imagine how amazing he was in her life. Jack’s and my thoughts and prayers are with the family.  I know the blessing he was in her life.
Mr Rice was so supportive of me during my years working for him and his son in the early 90’s… his connections had such an impact on my opportunities.. thank you!
My uncle Don’s Birthday and Father’s Day celebrations were merged together this year because his birthday fell right in the middle of the COVID-19 shelter-in-place order. As soon as things opened, he asked for a trip to the beach with family. All but one grandson was in attendance. Don missed him being there yet beamed with pride as he sat in on the beach house porch surrounded by a lively and loving family. We had mounds of delicious food and drinks (Rum and Diet Cokes for Don), and laughter and hugs that flowed late into the evenings. We are all so grateful for this time we had with him!
I have a special relationship with my uncle Don because he welcomed me into this world. He was pulled out of class during his Sr. year in High School to patiently await my birth at the hospital. As a favor to his sister, Gay, Don remained my primary babysitter for the time we lived in Gainesville. Only a teenager at the time, he didn’t even mind changing my diapers! Needless to say, Don never forgot my birthday.
Since the passing of my mother twelve years ago, the frequency of phone calls increased substantially. I adored my conversations with uncle Don and especially cherished the ones on my birthday. Uncle Don always took my calls and many times stepped outside from breakfast or dinner at his favorite hangouts. He spoke with admiration about the friends and time he spent at Elks Lodge. The principles of Charity, Justice, Brotherly Love and Fidelity served to build his character. Don also had a passion for boating, fishing, cutting up, laughing, and having a good time with all of his Gainesville friends. On our last call, he told me he was anxiously awaiting confirmation of details for his annual August trip to The Keys with friends. If COVID does not interrupt that trip, I know he will be there in spirit!
He was savvy about business and a man of his word, often making deals the old fashion way — on a handshake. He was a man of principle, integrity, honesty, and he was exceedingly fair. He was a man who called it like he saw it and a man who was protective of those he loved. He helped many in need.
I adored my uncle Don and he always told me he loved me. As my babysitter, my uncle, my protector, and ultimately my friend, uncle Don shaped and enriched my life, influencing the person I am today. I feel very fortunate to have had an uncle like uncle Don in my life. I will miss him terribly and moreover I will miss our many phone calls…especially the one on my birthday.
When it’s time for me to depart from this earth, uncle Don, leave a night light on so I can find you, reunite, and again let you know how much I love and cherish you!
Donnie and I were first cousins. He was 1 year older and we always shared many conversations and time together. Our fathers looked so much alike and both at one time were in the bicycle business. I will miss him tremendously. May he RIP. I'll see you again one day in the future.
He was my neighbor and a great friend. I will miss him very much. His property is back to ours and I would feed his horses while he had them.Â
RIP Don, Â You were loved by many.
Donnie & Beth, I am so sorry to hear the news about your father. Your dad was always so good to me. I will never forget the times he took us (Donnie, Brian, & myself) to the New River Hunting camp for a weekend of deer hunting. That normally ended up with Donnie, Brian, and I drinking Sr's Lord Calvert as Sr cooked a magnum sirloin steak from Ward's for us for dinner. Back then, I had no resources to enjoy the woods with brothers and a father. Don Rice Sr gave me that opportunity, and I will never forget those times. They will forever be burned in my memories. I loved your father and appreciated the opportunities he provided for us to love and enjoy each other. I will also never forget his fried grouper that he marinated in buttermilk at the Smuggler's Cove condo at Crystal River. I've been trying to replicate that for years and have never mastered. I'm sure it was just Sr's touch that made it so good. I am so sorry to hear about Sr's passing, and love all of you guys. He definitely enriched my life, and for that I will always be grateful.
Rest In Peach Sr.
Jimmy White