Earl Lamar Rice, 95, of Ocala, Florida, passed away on June 28, 2026 surrounded by family.
Earl was born on August 15, 1930 in Jacksonville, Florida to Edna Inez and Joseph Terrell Rice. He grew up in Jacksonville and graduated from Robert E. Lee High School.
After high school, Earl joined his father and worked for the United States Postal Service. He became a supervisor in the Jacksonville office and finished his career as Postmaster in Green Cove Springs, Florida. Earl also served twenty (20) years in the United States Naval Reserve.
Earl loved boating, fishing and woodworking. Earl especially loved spending time with family and friends in the Abacos and North Carolina. He built many pieces of beautifully handcrafted furniture that will be cherished by his family. Earl could fix anything and always answered the call from family when they needed help.
Earl is survived by his loving wife of Forty-Six (46) years, Mary Ann, his daughter Brenda (Paul) Torrey, son Jimmy (Beth) Collins, daughter Darlene (Brad) Smith, grandchildren Jesse (Amanda) Torrey, Brandon (Kristi) Rice, Marla Rice (Lester) Yarbrough, Tyler (Janelle) Rice, Cassie (Edgar) Rice, Mary Grace (Bo) Williams, Emily (Taylor) Collins, Caroline Collins, Anna Catherine (Gray) Collins, Bradshaw Smith, Ryan (Keeley) Smith, 13 great grandchildren and 9 great, great grandchildren. Earl was preceded in death by his son, Earl Lamar Rice Jr.
A funeral service will be held on July 16, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 1126 East Silver springs Blvd., Ocala.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Empath Hospice of Marion County. https://hospiceofmarion.org/donate/
The family would like to express their gratitude to Empath Hospice of Marion County for its loving care of Earl the last eleven (11) days of his life.