Funeral homes often submit obituaries as a service to the families they are assisting. However, we will be happy to accept obituaries from family members pending proper verification of the death.
With broken hearts, we inform all of you that our dad is finally at peace.
Jesse Rodney “Rocky” Rice, 76, passed away on Oct. 24, 2026, in Vancouver, Washington, surrounded by family. He was born on Sept. 7, 1950, in Hood River, Oregon, to Jesse E. Rice and Eleanor (Goss) Rice.
Rocky grew up in Hood River County and graduated from Wy’east High School in June 1968. At age 5, he shared his first kiss with Kathy, who he would one day marry. In high school, he met Steve Brown, who became his best friend. He enjoyed his childhood years playing and wrestling with his many, many Goss cousins.
Rocky married Kathy Masiker, and they had two children, Darci and Rod. Rocky worked with his father to build Rice & Son Orchards, and together they bought the farm next door. There he married Kathy McClain, and they raised two children, Jeff and Becky.
In his younger years, Rocky rode motorcycles with Dick Fox in the hills of the Hood River Valley. Each season brought hunting, fishing, camping and golf with his father-in-law, James McClain, his brother-in-law, Mick McClain, and his friends from the Pine Grove Fire Department.
Nothing excited him more than becoming a grandfather. After Kathy died in 2020, he drove the Gorge more often to spend time with his grandchildren. He also spent a winter in Palm Springs with his sister, Chris Torres. As his illness progressed, he moved to assisted living in Vancouver. On his 75th birthday, he flew in a glider high over the mountains and valley he loved.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Randy Rice, his wife Kathy, and his sons Button and Jeffrey. He is survived by his children, Darci Anderson, Rod Rice, and Becky Rice (Darren Davidson); his sister, Chris Torres; and his grandchildren, Emily Anderson, Garrett Anderson, James Davidson, and Jordan Davidson.
His laughter and the twinkle in his eye will be missed.
Rocky was a lifelong introvert, and no service is planned. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Wy’East Fire Department. He was proud to have three generations of his family volunteer to serve the valley he loved.
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Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.