Sam Rice

September 20, 1961 - October 6, 2018

Sam Lee Rice, 57, of Paris, Illinois, died Saturday, October 6, 2018, at his home in Illinois. He was born September 20, 1961, at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, the son of Earl Lee and Katherine Baker Rice. Shortly after he was born the family moved to Louisiana. Sam attended school and graduated from high school in Louisiana. Following graduation, he entered the United States Army and served from 1980 until his honorable discharge in 1988. Upon his discharge from the Army her returned to Louisiana. He worked as a taxi driver in Leesville, Louisiana for a short time. In the mid 1990’s he was diagnosed with M.S. and he was unable to work as his health declined. He continued to live in Louisiana until Hurricane Katrina displaced him to Missouri. After a short stay in Missouri he settled in Paris, Illinois. In every community he lived in he looked forward to playing Santa every year at Christmas time. He also enjoyed working on clocks, watching football especially the New Orleans Saints, and watching WWE wrestling. He looked forward to spending time with his family. He always had his faithful service dog Louie by his side. His family includes his three children, Mary Kaskadden (Randy Vancenbrock) of Harvey, Sammy (Amanda) Kaskadden of Brooklyn, and Nick (Samantha) Rice of Marshall, Illinois; fourteen grandchildren, Kendra, Chloe, Levi, Laci, Danny, Justin, Essica, Elizabeth, Damion, Isabella, Owen, Donovan, Abigail, Elizabeth, and Abraham; two sisters, Betty Jane (Brad) Rice-Tucker of Ball, Louisiana, and Vickie Absheer of Oskaloosa; and many aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, and a brother, Robert Johnson. A memorial service will be held Saturday, October 13, 2018, at 11 a.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel in Oskaloosa with Pastor Dwayne Poe officiating. As was Sam’s wish his body has been cremated. Visitation with the family will be held on Saturday morning from 10 until service time at 11. Memorials may be made to the family.