Morton “Riley” Rice, 77, of Richmond, died Friday, April 8, 2022, at North Kansas City Hospital.

Morton was born on Mar. 21, 1945, in Kansas City, the son of Morton and Mary (VanKemseke) Rice.  He was united in marriage to Sandra McLaughlin of Kansas City on Feb. 1, 1964, she survives of the home.

Additional survivors include two sons, Jeffery (Theresa) Rice of Lawson and Jesse (Rachel) Rice of Richmond; daughter, Julie (Jason) Hamilton-Bush of Richmond; eight grandchildren, Chaz Rice, Alexis Rice, Wyatt Rice, Quinn Rice, Grayson Rice, Della Rose Rice, Hunter Hamilton, and Gavin Bush; three great-grandchildren, Jeffery Rice, Amber Rice, and Nathan Rice; sister, Rosemary Maschler of Liberty; sister-in-law, Debbie Rice of Oak Grove; and many nephews and nieces.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Ennis Rice.

Riley graduated from North Kansas City High School in 1963. Shortly after, he married his high school sweetheart, Sandy.  Riley loved music, he was in three different bands throughout his life, and shared his love of music with his family by teaching his sons and grandchildren how to play guitar.  He also loved racing, whether it be himself or one of his kids at the wheel.  He was the Wheelwright at the Lathrop Fairgrounds, where he enjoyed sharing with others the art of not only making wheels for carriages and buggies but going above that and building the actual carriages and wagons themselves.  He loved the farm life, raising and showing draft horses; he built the cart and harness for the draft horses.  He loved his family dearly, so vacations and family time were Riley's favorite.  He took his family to Colorado almost every year to fish and hike.

Riley worked at the Body Shop at Ford Motor company for 30 years.  Riley was a jack-of-all-trades, he worked on CB radios, race cars, computers, was a mechanic/engineer, a certified firefighter and EMT, repaired antiques, and was a carpenter.

If Riley wanted to learn something, he not only learned it, but mastered it.  His thirst for life and knowledge will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to St. Jude’s Children Hospital.  They can be left at or mailed to Thurman Funeral Home, 507 East Main Street-P.O. Box 190, Richmond, MO 64085.

Memorial visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, April 15, 2022, at Thurman Funeral Home in Richmond.  Celebration of life at 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 16, 2022, at the home of Jesse Rice, 8597 Wellington Street, Richmond, MO 64085.  Please remember to share your memories of Morton with the family by visiting www.thurmanfuneralhome.com.