Mr. Larkin Rice, 94, of Gray, passed away Thursday morning, January 16, 2025 at Baptist Health Corbin after a battle with dementia. He was born on August 10, 1930 in Bell County to the late Garfield and Margaret Cox Rice.
Larkin retired from Chrysler in 1986 and returned to Jarvis. He enjoyed fishing, four-wheeling and running his beagles. He was known to have a good sense of humor and was a loving and supportive father. Larkin believed in the Pentecostal faith.
Larkin married Coria Lee Roark on December 20, 1948 and to this union seven children were born. Later in life, he married Chelsie Cox Frederick and due to health reasons, separated in 2020.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Coria, in 2002; his eldest son, Ross; youngest son, Kenneth; sons-in-law, Leon Mills and Frank Nestico; daughter-in-law, Sandy Sampson Rice and siblings, William, Whitley, Isabella, Grace, Clay, J. D., Fannie, Bette, Hiawatha and Tishie.
Survivors include his four daughters, Beverly Jane Mills, Cora Jean Quist and husband, Mark, Janice Talford and husband, Robert, and Nellie Dwyer and Terry Reetz; one son, James Rice and wife, Rachel; daughter-in-law, Vickie Dorff Rice; 11 grandchildren, Vince and wife, Crystal, Joe, Maria and Lauren Nestico, Jeff and wife, Carol, Melissa Mills, Aaron Rice and wife, Rachel, Rhiannon Lowe and husband, Robert, Amanda Pigg and husband, Rob, Christopher Dwyer and wife, Samantha, and Nolan Rice; 12 great grandchildren, Layla, Lizzie, Corie, Joey, Adama, Katie, Jaxon, Andersen, Rhagen, Hudson, Summit and Ryker; a great-great grandson, Levi; special nephews, Matt Warren and Eugene Rice; a niece, Ronnie Roark and husband, Marvin, who loved and cared for him for three years; little buddies, Kyson, Colton, Valerie May and Madison, who loved and called him Papaw Lark; among other loved ones and dear friends.
His funeral service will be conducted in the chapel of the Knox Funeral Home Tuesday, January 21 at 2 P.M. with Rev. Ron Mosher officiating. He will be laid to rest in the Candle Ridge Cemetery.
Casket bearers will be family and friends.
Friends may visit at the funeral home Tuesday after 12 Noon until the funeral hour.
The family would like to thank the nurses, CNA’s and aides at Hillcrest Health and Rehabilitation Center for the love and care given, many who often called him Grandpa and Baptist Health Corbin ER and second floor staff.
If you choose, you may donate to the Knox County Cancer Patient Fund in his memory.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Knox Funeral Home.
Send a condolence to the family of LARKIN RICE.
For questions about our obituaries or condolence service, please contact us. You may reach us via e-mail at knoxfuneralhome@barbourville.com. Reach us via phone by calling 606-546-2222.
