Max Lamar Rice

Max Lamar Rice, age 77 of Elkhart, passed away Sunday, January 6, 2019 at Elkhart General Hospital following a yearlong battle with cancer. Lamar was born October 6, 1941 in Elkhart to the late Max and Helen (McClintic) Rice.  He was a graduate of Concord High School, class of 1959.  On May 26, 1962, he married Carolyn Hann in Elkhart, Indiana.

Carolyn survives along with their children Stacy Peterson of Elkhart, Tracy (Mike) Vaughn of Elkhart, and Travis (Lelanie) Rice of Phoenix, Arizona.  Surviving as well is his brother Roger Rice of Goshen and his grandchildren Garrett Peterson, Nicholas Vaughn, Tony Vaughn, and Austin Diedrichs. Lamar is also survived by his great grandchildren Delainey and Graham Peterson.

Visitation will be held from 1-4 pm on Saturday, January 12, 2019 at Cruz Family Funeral Home in Osceola with a celebration of Lamar’s life to follow immediately after at 4:00 pm.  Interment of his cremated remains will follow at a later date.

Lamar was employed for over 40 years with Miles Laboratories in Elkhart.  In his spare time, he enjoyed restoring classic Hot Rod cars and trucks. He was especially fond of his 1932 Ford Street Rod which won many awards and was featured nationally in Street Scene Magazine.  Many afternoons, you could find Lamar hanging out with his longtime friend Jim Wise at Wise’s Hot Rod Shop.

He was also an avid fan of Notre Dame Football, NASCAR racing, especially Dale Earnhardt, and watching Drag Racing on TV.  Most of all, Lamar was a devoted husband, father and grandfather who enjoyed spending time with his family, watching his grandchildren play sports and spoiling his great-grandchildren.

In his memory, donations may be given to the American Cancer Society. To leave an online condolence, view Lamar’s online video tribute, or light a virtual candle in his memory, please follow the links provided on the Tribute Wall tab above.