Blair Gill Rice, 60, of Lawton, passed away suddenly, Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023, at his home. Blair was born Feb. 16, 1963, in Three Rivers, the son of the late Freeland Rice Jr., and Winifred Mae (Lewis) Rice.
He was a 1981 graduate of Lawton High School. He worked in HVAC for most of his career and more recently, he developed his own online business, selling items he acquired at estate sales, garage sales and flea markets. He was a long-time member of the Big Brothers and Big Sisters.
Blair was a loving family man. For many years he held Christmas parties for his nieces and nephews, calling it “Camp Kringle”. He enjoyed weekly pontoon rides with his family and friends in the summer months and fires by the lake to ring in the new year. For many years, he enjoyed taking annual motorcycle rides with his brother, Kirby, and friends. One of his most memorable trips was the six weeklong trip they took across the United States. Blair’s real pride and joy was his 1966 Ford Falcon van. He traveled to North Carolina to purchase this old van. Upon his return to Michigan, Blair began a labor of love, spending countless hours restoring the van inside and out and seeking the right parts. He eventually finished the van, restoring its color to a beautiful blue, purposely made to match a Bud Light can!
He is survived by his four sisters, Pamela (Donald) Paterala, Mary (Stanley) Darling, Cheryl (Scott) Woodruff and Nora (Dennis) McPike; two brothers, Daniel (Sharon) Rice and Kirby (Leann) Rice, along with many nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his mother and father; and his two infant brothers, James and John.
Family and friends were invited to visit Wednesday, Oct. 4, at Adams Funeral Home, 502 West Michigan Ave., Paw Paw, where a celebration of life was held that afternoon, with the Rev. Ron Packer officiating. Burial was at Oak Grove Cemetery, Lawton.
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