Obituary | Lawrence “Larry” Robert Rice

Lawrence (Larry) Robert Rice, age 87, passed away on Sunday October 30th, 2022. He was predeceased by his wife Margaret (Marge) Rita Rice in 2017 and their son Lawrence (Rusty) Robert George Rice in 2015.

Lawrence was the only son of George Robert Rice and Margaret Rita Gilligan Rice. Born in Minnesota, his father was an orphan and his mother immigrated from Ireland with her parents, two sisters and a brother.

Larry was born in Los Angeles in 1935. One his favorite childhood memories growing up was his pet duck named “Squakie.” He also loved to talk about how he sold newspapers on different street corners near Pico Blvd. and Sepulveda. He attended Dorsey High School and loved track and field. He continued his education at El Camino College before transferring to the University of Southern California graduating with a Bachelors in Science in Business Economics. Larry also received his teaching credentials at USC as well.

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Growing up in the 40’s, Larry loved Big Band music and was known for his swing dancing abilities. You could always find him on the dance floor with his wife at their New Years’ Parties. Larry was also very proud of his time in the National Guard at Camp Roberts.

Larry and Marge were married on September 27th, 1958. They were married for 59 years. In an interview he is quoted as saying that Marge was “a real dynamo in [his] life and for the whole family.” In 1959, Larry began his successful 54 year career as a Stock Trader working for Morgan, Olmstead, Kennedy & Gardner. He was elected President of the Securities Traders Association of Los Angeles (STALA) two times, and then worked his way from Secretary to Vice Chairman to Chairman of the Board of National Securities Trader’s Association in 1978. He later joined various national securities organizations to help direct and shape what later came to be known as NASDAQ.

Larry’s personal interests included his well known passion for all things Civil War and antique furniture. Larry and Marge took their love for antiques to the next level and started Family Fair Antiques on Mission Street in South Pasadena. The store was sold to their best friends, Dick and Clara Richards who turned the store into a genuine landmark in South Pasadena. In his later years, Larry created Ownhistory.com where he loved to buy and sell Civil War collectibles online, and share his extensive knowledge about every item, including his hero Abraham Lincoln. USC Football and his beloved LA Dodgers (fan since Brooklyn Dodgers) rounded out his pastimes.

Lawrence is survived by his 7 children; Patricia Rice, Gregory Rice, Timothy (Christina) Rice, Kathleen Rice, Kevin Rice, Jim (Pam) Rice, Colleen (Jim) Nelson. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren: Patricia, Robert, Rebecca, Sky, Zachary, JJ, Katie, Andrew, Annie and Bridget. He is also survived by 2 great grandchildren: Kingsley and Kason. And finally, he is survived by his favorite companion, Chewy.

Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, November 10th, at Sunrise Chapel at Mountain View Mortuary in Altadena.