PHILLIP CHARLES RICE

Phillip Charles Rice, age 80, of Raymore, Missouri, passed away peacefully on August 29, 2026.

Phil was born on September 30, 1945, at St. Luke's Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri, to Charles L. Rice and Muriel Rice of Red Bridge. He graduated from Southeast High School and attended Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri, where he joined the Sigma Chi fraternity.

A proud veteran of the United States Army, Phil served during the Vietnam War beginning in 1968. His commendable performance earned him numerous medals, and he will be recognized with dignity and respect in a formal ceremony of military honors.

Phil worked in downtown Kansas City as a banker and built a successful career in sales with major corporations and organizations through Midwest Power Files, now Southwest Solutions Group. He assumed leadership of C. L. Rice Company, an independent office supply company founded by his father, until retirement.

Phil was a devoted member of Raymore Presbyterian Church beginning in the late 1970s. Over the years, he served as an Elder, assisted with Sunday school, and participated in church programs and outreach.

Phil embraced life with enthusiasm. Many interests brought him great joy. An avid golfer, he pursued this passion as much more than a hobby. He was a dedicated coach for his daughters' softball teams in Raymore. Phil enjoyed cooking, maintaining a pristine lawn, vacationing, and, in later years, relaxing with ice cream to a repertoire of favorite television including MASH, Survivor, Big Brother, Jeopardy, cooking tutorials, talent competitions, and travel shows.

Phil persisted gracefully through advanced stages of Parkinson’s disease over the last fourteen years. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Dedra Rice. He is survived by his wife, Barbara Rice; his daughter, Melinda Rice; stepchildren, Kimberly Watt, Ryan Watt, and Tyler Watt; his sister, Sandra Elliott; and one grandson, Archer Ingle. Phil leaves behind extended family, church friends, golf buddies, and colleagues who will remember him for his generosity, candor, resiliency, and unwavering devotion to family and community.

Phil's legacy of diligence, faith, service, and love will continue to live on in the hearts of all who knew him.

Cullen Funeral Home in Raymore MO will host services on Tuesday, September 8th. Visitation begins at 10 AM, followed by a seated service at 11 AM, guided by Dave Kremer of Raymore Presbyterian Church. Military funeral honors take place at burial in Mount Moriah Cemetery, Kansas City MO.

Memorial offerings or donations may be gifted to Raymore Presbyterian Church.

Arrangements: Cullen Funeral Home, Raymore, Missouri 816.322.5278