Gene Rocklin "Rocky" Rice

Gene Rocklin "Rocky" Rice, age 69, passed away at Jennie Edmundson Hospital on May 9, 2024.

Rocky was born on November 9, 1954, to the late James and Betty (Bucholz) Rice in Council Bluffs, IA. He was a life-long resident of Council Bluffs and Crescent, IA. Rocky graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School with the class of 1973. In 1974, he met his wife, Barbara (Heese), and they were married in Earling, IA in 1989. Rocky had a passion for restoring cars and traveling with the Chevrolet Classics Club. Rocky and Barb later built their forever home in Crescent, IA where they raised their three children. He enjoyed spending time with family, and was a well-known friend to many in his community.

Rocky worked with K&K Distributing from 1973 to 1994, and co-owned the Horseman restaurant from 1994-1998 in Crescent, IA. He retired from Douglas County Corrections in 2020 after 19 years of service. Rocky also sold real estate for 9 years, working with the Home Hunters Group, a part of Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Ambassador Real Estate. 

Rocky is survived by his wife of 35 years, Barb Rice; children, Dana (Nicholas) Riza, Danielle (Joe Goldberg) Rice, and Cody (Tristin Barnhart) Rice; brother, James "Butch" (Renee Tonkinson) Rice; grandchildren, Jackson, Aiden, and Carlson and a host of other family and friends. 

Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM at Hoy Kilnoski Funeral Home on Monday, May 13, 2024.

Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 AM at Hoy Kilnoski Funeral Home on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. Interment will be in the Hazel Dell Cemetery. The family will direct memorials.