K. Warren Rice, 52, Kearney, died Saturday, July 1, 2017 at Kearney Regional Medical Center. Memorial services were held on Wednesday, July 5, 2017 at Grace Fellowship Church in Kearney with Pastor Mitch Ivey officiating.

Warren was born September 4, 1964 in Cozad to Kenneth and Sharon (Herman) Rice. He graduated from North Platte High School, and then he moved to Florida to attend college. He moved back to Lexington and worked at Rice’s Market. Warren moved to Norton, Kansas and ran a grocery store. Warren moved to Kearney in 1995, and he married Peggy Parsons on May 27, 1995. He worked as a Food Broker for Dougherty Brokerage from Omaha. His customers loved him and he enjoyed visiting with them. He loved spending time with his family especially his grandchildren. Warren also enjoyed hunting, entertaining friends, model trains, and bible studies at Grace Fellowship.

Warren is survived by his wife, Peggy of Kearney; sons, John Rice and fiancée Jamie Pedroso of Richmond, VA, Jeremie Mitchell of Grand Island; daughters, Fawn Rader of Lincoln, Melanie Ocampo and husband Miguel of Kearney, Alicia Rice and Aaliyah Rice of Kearney; mother, Sherry Rice of Lexington; brother, Kraig Rice of Santa Barbara, CA; sister, Kristi Jergensen and her husband Kent of Lexington; brother-in-law Loren Richards of Kearney; six grandchildren, cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Warren was preceded in death by his father, sister, Kelly Richards, and his grandparents.

Additional words shared by Jay Wilkinson on the date of Warren’s services:

Services were held today for a childhood friend and high school classmate. Warren Rice was an invincible icon from my youth. He became notorious in the 8th grade when he beat the wrestling coach in a match. And in the 9th grade, he led our football team to an undefeated season by averaging more than 20 tackles per game as our middle linebacker. No one could run through him or around him.

Before our junior year, Warren was in a car accident that nearly cost him his leg. In one day - he went from being a Husker football recruit - to our sideline cheerleader. Throughout his life, Warren endured one setback after another. In fact, a few years ago, he survived another car crash that sent him catapulting through the windshield of his car.
All this said, the thing I remember most about Warren is his positive outlook on life. His heart was as big as his legend. He adopted children. Tended to others. And lived with a grateful heart.
My classmates from the NPHS Class of 1983 – and all of the people he touched along the way - will miss him dearly.

Rest in peace Warren.