Earl August Rice, Jr.

Earl August Rice, Jr., 99, of Taneytown passed away on Thursday, December 15, 2022, at the Lorien Health in Taneytown. Born February 17, 1923, he was the son of the late Earl August Rice, Sr. and Helen C. Rice, nee Creager. He was the loving husband to Mary Eugenia Rice, nee Matthews, who passed in February of 2018. They were high school sweethearts and were married 73 years.

He was a Freemason, Tyrian Lodge #205 of Emmitsburg for 68 years. He was in the Army Air-Corp during WWII; he flew over Hiroshima a week after the bomb was dropped. His first job after the war was working at Mt. Parnell Fisheries in Mercersburg, PA, which was a family business raising goldfish. He later went to work with his father-in-law, FSK Matthews. There he helped manage the propane gas and appliance business located in Emmitsburg. He continued to work there until 1983. He planned to retire; however, he started feeding and selling cattle in the Midwest, specifically Kansas, which he continued to do into his nineties. He was a man of many talents and a business entrepreneur. During his lifetime, he most enjoyed activities with his family, such as sailing, hiking in the Catoctin Mountains, vacations at the ocean, traveling, and cheering on the Baltimore Orioles.

Surviving are children, Robert Scott Rice and wife Maggi of Dallas, TX, and Mary Ann Clever and husband Steve of Gainesville, GA; brother Richard F. Rice of Mercersburg, PA; 9 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. He will also be remembered by his beloved friends, Bruce and Nancy Wiles. In addition to his wife and parents, he is preceded in death by son, Earl August Rice, III; and brother M. Luther Rice.

The family will receive from 10 – 11 am on Tuesday, December 20, 2022, at the Trinity United Methodist Church, 313 W Main Street, Emmitsburg, MD 21727, with a funeral service to begin at 11 am with Reverend Richard Baker officiating. Interment will follow at Blue Ridge Cemetery in Thurmont.

In lieu of flowers, memorials contributions may be made in Earl’s name to a charity of your choice.

Arrangements by MYERS-DURBORAW FUNERAL HOME, P.A., Emmitsburg.