Ira Young Rice, Jr.
1917 - 2001

News Brief On The Death Of Ira Y. Rice, Jr.

Well-known minister and editor, Ira Young Rice Jr., died Oct. 10 near Goodrich, Texas, at 84.

Rice had concluded a gospel meeting in Shepherd the evening before and was on his way home to Memphis, Tenn., when his van collided with an 18-wheel semi-trailer. He did not survive.

Rice served more than 65 years as a minister, editor and missionary.

He began preaching at age 15. Later he served churches in Oklahoma, Texas, California and Washington.

Rice was active in international missions and worked in Malaysia, Hong Kong, the People’s Republic of China and Russia. He established the church of Christ in Singapore in 1954 and worked there until the mid-1960s. He also served as president of Four Seas College, Singapore from 1966-68.

As recently as August he traveled to Siberia to evangelize.

After graduating with a degree in journalism from Oklahoma University, Rice maintained a lifelong interest in writing.

He was the founding editor for the monthly newspaper, “Contending for the Faith” from 1969 to 2000. He also published the “Far East Newsletter,” which contained reports on his travels. The Bellview Church of Christ, Pensacola, Fla., oversaw his international travels.

Rice wrote and published several books including “Soul Winning — Personalized and Systematized”; “God’s Truth on Elders”; and “We Can Evangelize the World.” His best known books are “Axe at the Root” in three volumes. His “Basic Bible Course” has been widely circulated and translated into several languages, said David Brown, current editor of “Contending for the Faith.”

“Men either hated or loved and admired Ira. There will never be another like him in his fierce passion for getting the gospel all over the world and in his equal zeal for the purity of doctrine and practice. As for me, I loved and admired him,” said H.W. “Dub” McClish, editor of the Denton, Texas-based “Gospel Journal.”

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Vada, and five adult children: Ramona Schroeder, Ballwin, Mo.; Lynette Beasley, Cleveland, Tenn.; Renee Harless, Harrison, Tenn.; Rochelle Whitaker, Nashville; and Ira Y. Rice III, Olympia, Wash. He also is survived by nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Memorial services were Oct. 16 at the Forest Hills Church of Christ, Memphis.

--Report from Christian Chronicle,  Oct. 22, 2001

Directions To Grave

I.Y. Rice was buried in Memphis, Tennessee in a fairly new cemetery, Memorial Park South Woods. It is located at 5485 Hacks Cross Road, Memphis, TN 38125. Take I-240 to Nonconnah Parkway and go east 5 miles to Hack's Cross Rd. Exit. At the exit turn right (South) about 2 1/2 miles. The road will narrow to two lanes. You will pass a pet cemetery on your right. Very soon you will come to Memorial Park South Woods Cemetery. Turn into the entrance and bear to the left past the office. Then as you bear around the section on your right you will turn left between the Annesdale Section and The Chapel Hill Section. Proceed to the top of the hill and turn right. Immediately to your left is the Belvedere Section where Rice is buried in Lot 1405 #15. Go to the right of the Belvedere sign and go in 14 rows. Each section has a little silver round plate with the number of the section. When I was there in January, 2002 there was still no permanent marker in place. While visiting the grave of I.Y. Rice, Jr. be sure to visit the grave of C.W. Bradley.

GPS Coordinates
35° 00.033' N x 089° 47.930' W
Acc. 20ft. Grave Faces East

Temporary Marker Just After Rice's Death

Ira Y., Jr.
1917-2001
Soldier Of The Cross
Missionary To The World

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