Dr. Kenneth Allen Rice
Dr. Kenneth Allen Rice, 76, of Pembroke, Virginia, passed away on April 21, 2025. A devoted husband, stepfather, step-grandfather, scientist, and teacher, Ken will be remembered for the breadth of his intellect, the strength of his convictions, and the deep care he brought to every aspect of his life.
Born on November 9, 1948, Ken pursued a lifelong passion for learning. He was gifted chemistry sets at a young age and never stopped discovering. Ken earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Davidson College, followed by master’s degrees in Psychology from the University of West Georgia and in Applied Mathematics and Computing from the University of Georgia. Ken ultimately completed his Ph.D. in Evolutionary Biology at Harvard University.
His career was equally wide-ranging. He served as a director and therapist at Georgia Behavioral Health Services and worked as a biologist at GlaxoSmithKline, contributing to the Human Genome Project. Ken was also a drug designer and computer programmer whose scientific and technical expertise was matched by his compassion and curiosity.
Ken found meaning in both quiet reflection and hands-on engagement with the world. He was an Eagle Scout, an accomplished ham radio operator (K3VV), a dulcimer player and singer, a dedicated homesteader, a lover of dogs, practitioner of photography, and a student of religious traditions. His deep affinity for Appalachia shaped his life and spirit. He humbly marked his sobriety on November 8, 2008.
Ken’s life was a testament to faith, service, and the transformative power of knowledge. He will be profoundly missed.
Ken is survived by his beloved wife, Juliet Katherine Rice (née George), of Pembroke, Virginia; and his mother, Carolyn Nadine Rice (née Baker), of Conway, South Carolina.
He is also survived by his stepdaughters, Melissa McCleery (and fiancé Stephen Pianovich) of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Erin McCleery (and partner Josiah Latham) of Charlotte, North Carolina; by his step-grandchildren, Atlas Latham and Apollo Latham; his father-in-law, James Kennedy George Jr., of Austin, Texas; and his brothers-in-law, Chris George (and wife Julie Haddon) of Portland, Oregon, and Jimmy George of Austin, Texas.
He is remembered by his sister-in-law, Nelljean McConeghey (and husband Clay) of Arlington, Virginia. He is also survived by his niece, Carolyn Emily Louise Carney (née Rice), of Rockville, Maryland; his nephew, Jesse Kenneth Roberts Rice of Atlanta, Georgia; and his cousin, Gail Brown (and husband Charlie), of Opelika, Alabama.
Ken was preceded in death by his father, Samuel Paul Rice; his brother, Dr. Samuel Paul Rice, Jr.; and his mother-in-law Diana George (née Simmons).
The family will receive friends at a time of visitation on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at 4:00 PM at Kendall Funeral Home in Pembroke. A memorial service will follow at 5:00 PM with Pastor Gary Poff of Castle Rock Baptist Church officiating. A guestbook is available to send condolences to the family by visiting www.kendallfuneralhome.com. The staff of Kendall Funeral Home are honored to serve the Rice family.
