Lloyd Rice Obituary
With deep sadness, we share the news that Lloyd "Lyle" Rice passed away at Dominican Hospital in Santa Cruz, CA on July 19, 2024, lovingly surrounded by his family. He was 81 years old, just shy of his 82nd birthday. Born in 1942 to Edgar Hislop Rice and Carmen Kelly Rice in Los Angeles, CA, Lyle grew up in Newhall, CA where he attended Hart High School (graduated 1960). He continued on to Los Angeles Pierce College and Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo where he swam competitively and played water polo. He graduated with a degree in Biological Sciences. His summers from 1961 through 1966 were spent working for the U.S. Forest Service fighting wildfires as both ground crew and as a smokejumper. Upon graduation from SLO, Lyle attended Police School at San Jose State College. Lyle began his career at San Jose Police Department (SJPD) where he worked in various units including Robbery, Homicide and Street Crimes. He was instrumental in the creation of the police bike patrol unit. Lyle retired as a Lieutenant in 1995, after 28 years of service. Retirement was spent learning new skills and going on many adventures. He put thousands of miles on his touring bike and kayaked around the country and the world (Canada and Vietnam). He led kayak tours out of Moss Landing and Santa Cruz with the Kayak Connection and continued to be a guide at the Elkhorn Slough Reserve where he could share his knowledge of birds and nature. He found a passion in making fly rods, tying flies and woodworking, creating beautiful pieces of furniture for his family. Lyle and his wife Sandy enjoyed many wonderful adventures, driving and kayaking across country, traveling to Africa, and taking several cruises to places around the world. His legacy will forever live on through the countless lives he touched. Though we mourn his loss, we celebrate the incredible life he lived. Friends and family will remember Lyle for his integrity and compassion, and his unconditional love and support. He was also known as "Big Kid" with a big heart and as a prankster with a great sense of humor. Lyle, you have left us with such beautiful memories! Lyle is survived by his loving wife of 46 years Sandra Rice, his daughters Carrie Rice (Ray) of Laguna Niguel, CA, Erin Thompson (Kevin) of Aptos, CA, and son Greg Rice (Alison) of Folsom, CA, his grandchildren Wyatt, Max, Sophie, Grace and Piper, and sister Martha Schwarz of Larkspur. CA. A private Burial at Sea in the Monterey Bay will be held on September 29, 2024 with a Celebration of Life to follow from 4-6 at the Aptos Cantine winepub at 8050 Soquel Dr.(ste b) Aptos ,Ca 95003 For those wishing to make a memorial contribution, the family requests that donations be made to the Alzheimer's Association at alz.org or American Diabetes Association at diabetes.org.
