COL (Ret) Charles (Charlie) Oscar Rice was born August 31, 1940 and passed away peacefully at home on October 20, 2021. He was preceded in death by his mother, Lenore Formby Rice; father, Charles Adams Rice; and sister, Mary Jane Gibson.
He is survived by his wife, Nancy, whom he loved very much; his children, Mike Rice (CSM Ret) and wife, Sharon (MSG Ret), Chris Rice (MSG) and wife, Angela, Michelle Rice Barrett and husband, Rodney, and Scott Rice (MSG) and wife, Tanya; Beloved Grandchildren, Shawn (CW3), Britton, Kayla, Kirsten, Claire, Cassidy, Lauren and Ryan; and Great Grandchildren; Valor, Revel, Kai and Evelyn Marie.
Charlie was the William Hume Award recipient for 1957-58. He went on to be a star running back at Middle Tennessee State. After college he joined the Army and became a UH1 Huey helicopter pilot serving in the Vietnam War and then with the TNARNG he served as an Aviation BN Commander and retired in 1991. He was also a teacher at TN Youth Center and Franklin High School where he taught Geography and History and was a football and track coach for many years.
During retirement he loved taking long drives in the countryside and saving box turtles. Always making time for his grandchildren, attending their sporting events and extracurricular activities. He was lovingly known as “Pops or Poppy”.
Visitation will be held at Harpeth Hills Memorial Gardens from 12:00 – 1:30 pm on Tues, Oct 26th (9090 TN-100, Nashville, TN 37221). Service will follow at Middle Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery at 2pm (7931 McCrory Ln, Nashville, TN 37221). In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/.
