John Martin Rice

John Martin Rice passed away on the afternoon of January 6, 2025, at home with loved ones in Alexandria, Virginia. He was 79.

The third of fourteen children, John was born in Detroit, Michigan on March 27, 1945, to Fredrick Joseph Rice and Ellen Gertrude (Cox) Rice. He attended St. Benedict high school, where he served as class president and captain of the football, basketball, and baseball teams. He earned an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point, graduating in 1966 with a degree in Civil Engineering, and served his country for two years in Vietnam. Returning home to Detroit, he met Lori, the love of his life, and they were married six months later. 

Together, they embarked on the adventure of a military family. Their first stop was California, where John earned his Master’s in Electrical Engineering from Loyola Marymount University, and Lori gave birth to their son, Chris, and daughter, Jennifer. This was followed by various stops including Tehran and a return to West Point, his alma mater, to teach electrical engineering. Whenever possible, John and Lori made the long drive home to Detroit to see their parents, siblings, nieces, and nephews. 

Their last stop with the military was Herndon, Virginia, where John retired as a Lieutenant Colonel. John joined the local engineering firm EWA Services, Inc. where he led large-scale testing programs for advanced communication systems, and soon rose to the position of President.

Both at work and at home, John was always inventing, building, repairing, and teaching. A natural leader, he exuded calm and seriousness but was also quick to laugh or share in a joke. He loved to use his talents in service of his family, whether renovating kitchens, building elaborate toys or sports training equipment, serving as Scoutmaster or coaching basketball. He is remembered by those that knew him as thoughtful, rational, generous, and humorous.

John is survived by his son Christopher Rice, daughter Jennifer (Rice) Stone, and siblings Judith (Rice) Kler, Mary (Rice) Hale, Barbara Rice, Robert Rice, Patricia Rice, Raymond Rice, Deborah (Rice) Tardif, Rita Rice, and Sarah (Rice) Ward. He is preceded in death by his wife Dolores (Feerer) Rice, his parents Fred and Ellen, and his siblings Fredrick Rice, Ann Rice, Josephine (Rice) Davis, and Paul Rice. We miss him very much but are glad he is at peace, and overjoyed that he is reunited with his beloved Lori.

A gathering of family and friends will take place at the Cunningham Turch Funeral Home, 811 Cameron Street, Alexandria, VA 22314, on Tuesday, May 13, 2025 from 4:00 - 6:00 PM.  Mass of Christian Burial, Wednesday, May 14, 2025 at 10:30 AM at St. Rita's Catholic Church,  3815 Russell Road, Alexandria, VA 22305.  Interment to follow at Arlington National Cemetery with military honors at 1:00 PM.