Jerry Warren Rice

Jerry Warren Rice lost a brave 3+ year battle of cancer and passed away in June 2024. He was 86. What a grand life he lived. Jerry was a native of Northern Colorado and born at Poudre Valley Hospital to Edgar and Leona Rice. His family included his older brother, Ed, and younger sister, Patricia. The family lived and farmed in Wellington, Colorado. Jerry attended Boxelder Elementary and Wellington Junior and Senior High where he excelled in football and basketball. When he was in 8th grade, he became ill with rheumatic fever. Not wanting to let his teams down, and true to Jerry’s character, he became a cheerleader for his teams. Those who know Jerry will attest that he continued to be a cheerleader of all things from that point on! His freshman year in college he attended Colorado A & M (CSU) where he ran and participated on the track team. Drafted in 1961, he spent time at Fort Carson in Colorado and Fort Eustis in Virginia. He remained in the Army Reserves until 1967. Upon returning to Fort Collins, Jerry began working at Ranch-Way Feeds at the same location that still stands. Jerry then began a career that lasted 33 years at Sterling Sand and Gravel, which is now known as Martin Marietta. Jerry loved his career and the friendships that he developed. From hot plant oiler, crushing plant oiler and foreman, earth-moving superintendent, and wash plant superintendent he received numerous accolades for his work ethic and leadership. Jerry truly valued every facet of this business. Having lived in the Wellington area, where everyone in “those days” knew each other, on January 2, 1976, he became a supporting and devoted husband to Carol Jean Rice and loving step-dad to daughters, Jacque and Debbie. Carol and Jerry had been friends for years prior to their marriage and that friendship continued for the next 48 years. Jerry and Carol loved listening to Elvis, country music and would often break away to dance the jitterbug. They were a joy to watch and when the dance was over, Jerry would pull the brush out of his sock and smooth that amazing head of black hair. Jerry is what many would call a true, “Stalwart Ram”. He was an original member of the “Spirit Committee” that was founded in 1982 and remained an active member for 35+ years. Before every Hughes Stadium home football game, he was one of the hosts for the Spirit Committee tailgate, grilling brats and burgers, raising money to assist the CSU athletic department. He also became known as the best pancake flipper in town at the Spirit Committee’s Pancake Breakfast, which was held prior to the Spring football games. Jerry’s love for Colorado State athletics was endless. His heart was always focused on giving back by investing his time, enthusiasm and still being that cheerleader for his beloved Rams. Together, with Carol, they traveled to countless away football and basketball games, bowl games, March Madness basketball tournaments in Las Vegas, and of course supported his teams at home. Jerry and Carol were awarded the Larry LaSasso award in 1991. This annual award is given to the fan that has shown enduring and exceptional display of spirit and enthusiasm in support of Colorado State Athletics. Jerry was a member of the GRIT Club, Roundball Club, and Women’s High Hoops where he loved supporting, ribbing the coaches, and learning more about his teams. Long time season ticket holders for football, both men and women’s basketball, he also supported and loved watching the volleyball and softball teams too. A testament to his Rams, his voice message on his phone plays, “Hey gang, we’re out cheering on the Rams….”, he was also that guy who was continually asked to lead the CSU fight song and of course could boaster out “Fum’s song”. Jerry also loved the Denver Broncos and as a 40+ year Bronco’s season ticket holder, he enjoyed attending the games with his daughters and grandchildren. We joked as a family that he bled green and gold on one side and blue and orange on the other. Jerry lived a rich and long life. Up until recently you could find Jerry on the Collindale golf course always attempting to hit them long and straight. Jerry did not know a stranger, chatting it up with anyone. It seems as though you could go anywhere, and someone would be calling out to him when he walked into the place. He loved enjoying a nice, cold Coors Banquet, watching old Westerns and sports and driving Carol crazy by constantly switching back and forth between the two. He was a longtime member of the Elks Club and the American Legion. Jerry was a mainstay in many of our lives. His wit, contagious laugh, and his unwavering friendship will be truly missed. Always kind, available, and loving, Jerry was a marvelous patriarch to his family. Those surviving him: Wife, Carol Rice, step-daughters Jacque Ahlbrandt, Debbie Ahlbrandt, grandchildren Courtney Whitt (Travis) , Lindsay Mathern (Brandon), Seth Niesent (Stefanie), 4 great-granddaughters (Adi, Finley, Sloane, Isla) 2 great-grandsons (Jack, Andrew), sister, Pat Noffke (Pete) and many nieces, nephews and great-nieces/nephews. He was proceeded in death by his parents Edgar and Leona and brother, Edgar, Jr. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, August 17, 2024, from 2:30 - 5:00 p.m. at Canvas Stadium, Stadium Club, 751 West Pitkin Street, Fort Collins, Colorado, in the Indoor/Outdoor Club Level on the 4th Floor. To honor Jerry, please wear your Rams gear or dress in green and gold. The family wishes to thank his healthcare professionals at the UC Health Cancer Center for his cancer treatment. We are especially grateful to Bristol and Pathways Hospice for their amazing kindness and respectful care that allowed Jerry to stay safe and pain free in his final days. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Colorado State University Foundation for the Jerry and Carol Rice Athletics Scholarship Fund, at P.O. Box 1870, Fort Collins, Colorado 80522-1870 or online at https://advancing.colostate.edu/GIVE (please use the “Include Tribute” option to designate your gift in Jerry’s memory). You can also donate to the Rams Against Hunger program, at https://give.colostate.edu/campaigns/44988/donations/new, to provide meals to CSU students experiencing hunger

Tributes

Jerry Warren Rice

March 31, 1938 - June 25, 2024