Michael Lynn Rice

Michael Lynn Rice, age 76, a resident of Gulf Shores, AL, passed from this life on Wednesday, January 25, 2023 at Thomas Hospital in Fairhope, AL. Mike was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on April, 26th, 1946 to Elmo and Lucille Rice. Mike served in the US Navy for 21 years retiring as a Lieutenant Commander in 1987. In the years after Navy retirement, Mike spent a short time teaching and coaching before taking an engineering position with McDonnell Douglas. It was while working for McDonnell Douglas that Mike found his forever job in Real Estate, where he received numerous awards and recognitions. In 2001 Mike married the love of his life, Darla. They later moved to Gulf Shores making the south their permanent residence. Mike continued his Real Estate Profession in Alabama while also spending as much time as possible on the golf course. Mike was preceded in death by his parents as well as brothers Arthur Bill and Jimmy Don Bill. Mike is survived by his loving wife, Darla Rice of Gulf Shores, AL; sons, Charlie (Cindy) Rice, William (Susan) Rice, Doug (Jana) Massey; stepchildren, Adam (Alicia) Lewis, Katie (Ryan) Gatton; grandchildren, Jimmy Rice, Christopher Rice, Jessica (Will) Burchett, Tabitha (Justin) DaMetz, Celena (Ryan Sullivan) Cox, T.J. (Lindsay Bartgis) Cox, Mallory (Kenneth) Ortiz, Kyndal (Lina) Massey, Kade Massey, Lainey Gatton ; 7 great-grandchildren; sister, Sharon (John) Lester; sister-in-law, Linda Ballowe; brothers-in-law, Randy (Lori) Klein, David (Leighann Worthen) Klein; two precious dogs, Rowdy and Quin; many more loving relatives and friends. Celebration of life will be held on Sunday, February 5th from 2-5pm at Craft Farms Clubhouse 3840 Cotton Creek Circle, Gulf Shores, AL 36542. Funeral services will be held at 11:30 AM, Monday, February 6, 2023 at Wolfe-Bayview Funeral Home Chapel, Foley. The family will receive friends at 10:00 AM. Following the chapel service, we will meet at Olive Baptist Church – Warrington Campus, 103 W Winthrop Ave, Pensacola, FL 32507, then proceed to Barrancas National Cemetery for burial and full military honors provided by the US Navy. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: All About Dogs P.O. Box 476 Magnolia Springs, AL 36555 Or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105 stjude.org ARRANGEMENTS BY WOLFE-BAYVIEW FUNERAL HOMES & CREMATORY, INC. 2551 SOUTH MCKENZIE STREET FOLEY, AL 36535 251-943-2391 www.wolfefuneralhomes.com