Milton Leroy Rice, 95, of Liberal, beloved husband, dad, grandaddy, mentor and friend passed from
this life on April 29, 2026.
He was born on December 1, 1930 in Pritchett, Colorado; youngest of six children.
Milton met the love of his life, Eileen Ruth Parks when her and her mother moved into his
neighborhood. He was 17 and she was only 13 but he knew after a short time that she
was the one for him. They were married on December 22, 1951 at Friends Church in
Santa Ana, California.
He received his high school diploma in 1949 from Santa Ana High and was drafted into
the Army on March 27, 1951. He trained at both Fort Ord and Camp Roberts in
California, which was during the Korean Conflict. While in the Army he tried his hand at
cooking, which he enjoyed, but they decided he needed to teach the ‘young recruits’
how to drive the vehicles, so he became the driving instructor. He was sent to Fort
Lewis, Washington in January 1952 and was promoted to Corporal. He stayed in
Washington until his discharge on March 26, 1953 and continued with the US Army
Reserve for five years after he was honorably discharged.
He was interested in law enforcement but the powers that be did not allow that to
happen. He ended up getting work with the Fullerton, California Fire Department as a
Firefighter from 1957 to 1960 and Fire Engineer from 1960 until 1969. He moved his
family to Liberal, Kansas in 1969 and began working with the Liberal Fire Department
as a Firefighter from 1969 to 1971 when he was promoted to Fire Chief; a role he
stayed in until his retirement on February 1, 1993.
He was very involved with the City of Liberal and active in several organizations. He
served as President of the Seward County Safety Council from 1975 to 1984; Chairman
of the City Safety Council from 1982 to 1984; President of the Liberal Ministerial
Alliance from 1979 to 1984; President of the Western Kansas District for Community of
Christ Church from 1983 to 1996; Board of Director with the Kansas Firefighters
Association from 1975 to 1980; Board of Director with the State Fire Chiefs Association
from 1982 to 1984; and President of the Liberal Kiwanis Club from 1981 to 1982.
He is survived by one brother Ray Rice of Palm Springs, CA, two daughters Letitia
Landry of New Port Richey, FL and LaWilda Hogan and husband Kelly of Broken Arrow,
OK, five grandchildren: Denasa Rice of Oklahoma City, OK; Tyson Rice and wife Mandy
of Liberal, KS; Kiffany Hogan and husband Mike Haraughty of Broken Arrow, OK; Todd
Hogan and wife Megan of Broken Arrow, OK; and Lisa Landry and husband Chris of
New Port Richey, FL. He was also blessed with seven great grandchildren: Hudson and
Caylon Rice of Liberal, KS; Gavin and Gennica Maher of Tulsa, OK; Aaden and Ian
Hogan of Broken Arrow, OK; and Joslynn Landry of Adrian, Michigan and one great-
great grandson, Leone Wolford of Adrian, Michigan.
Milton was preceded in death by his parents Albert and Ada Rice, sisters Lucile
Hickman and Louise Lewis, brothers Robert and Joe Rice, his beloved wife of 71 years
Eileen Rice, his son Guy Rice, daughter-in-law Jacque Rice, and great granddaughter
Channing Rice.
‘Milt’ – Dad, Grandaddy, Friend – will be missed but we are grateful that God allowed us
to have known him and will keep the wonderful memories.
There will be no viewing as per Milton’s request, cremation has taken place.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10:00 am on Thursday May 28, 2026 at Believer’s Ministry Church.
The family asks in lieu of flowers that memorial donations in his memory be made to the Liberal Fire Department, 110 W. 15 th St., Liberal, KS 67901
The family would love for friends to share memories of Milton through his tribute web page at millermortuary.net.