Frank Rice was born in Cliff, New Mexico, and graduated from Cliff High School in 1955. He worked construction until November 1955. Frank always said he went to worked for Mr. Eisenhower when he joined the United States Navy in 1955. He left the Navy in 1958 and spent the next several years working construction and on ranches. Frank married Jacque Simpson in 1960, and from this marriage was born 2 sons. Carl Matthew and Brett Randall. In 1964, he joined the State Police and worked as a state Police Officer until 1977. In 1977, he married Catherine Rice and began ranching full time. Frank served on the Northeastern New Mexico Livestock Association and was President in 1980-1981. He served on the New Mexico Farm and Livestock Bureau Colfax County Board as well as the New Mexico Farm and Livestock Bureau State Board. He and Catherine were honored as The Farm Bureau and Ranching Family of the year in 2003 and was the Colfax County Fair Grand Marshall in 2016. He was a member of the New Mexico Cattle Growers Association and a proud supporter of the Colfax County Fair. He spent many years weighing livestock for the fair and supporting the livestock sale. Frank was a member of the Farley Fire Department and served as the Chief for many years.
Frank was proceeded in death by his parents Fayette and Rosella Rice, wife Catherine Rice and son Brett Randal Rice, brother Lee, and sisters Martha, Alice, Stella, and June.
Frank is survived by his sister Ethel Marie Hooker, son Carl Matthew Rice, granddaughters Shannon Begler, Natalie Rice and 4 great-grandchildren along with a host of friends.
A graveside service for Frank will be held at the Springer Cemetery on April the 15th at11:00 a. m., with Father Trieu officiating a Blessing, with a lunch to follow at the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church Hall in Springer.
Arrangements and celebration of love for Frank Luther Rice are under the direction of the Alderette-Pomeroy Funeral Home of Raton, New Mexico.
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