Clayton K. Rice – Lifetime Rotarian

Clayton Kimball Rice (Clayt), a 50-plus-year Rotarian and
independent businessman, died on July 10 at his home. He was 85.
Born in 1921 in Ukiah, Mr. Rice moved to San Rafael at any early
age with his family. He graduated from San Rafael High School and
the College of Marin. In 1942, Rice was one of the youngest Marin
County residents to enlist in the U.S. Army. He honorably served in
the European Theatre at both the First Medical General Lab, London
and The Pasteur Institute, Paris during World War II. In 1945, Mr.
Rice married Evelyn Menary of San Rafael (daughter of Marin County
Sheriff David Menary). It was a union that would last 56 years
until her death. While Rice and Menary were married, Rice worked
for McNear Brick & Block Co. as a general manager until they
opened Healdsburg Building Materials, Inc. in 1972. Theirs was a
family business built on deals cemented on a handshake. Throughout
his working career and into retirement, Mr. Rice served Rotary Club
International (San Rafael and Healdsburg Chapters), Masons
(Sotoyome Curtis Lodge #123), and the Presbyterian Church (San
Rafael and St. Luke’s) in various leadership roles, including
Rotarian President and church Deacon. Additionally, Rice was listed
in Who’s Who in the West multiple times. In 2002, Rice married
Betty J. Thompson of San Rafael who had been the Maid of Honor at
his first wedding. He was quoted as saying, [he] had been twice
blessed in his lifetime: first in his marriage to Evelyn and again
in his nuptials with Betty. Despite all of Rice’s accomplishments,
his family, friends and many acquaintances will remember him first
and foremost for his good humor and integrity. He will be sorely
missed. Mr. Rice is survived by his second wife, Betty; two
children from his first marriage: Susan Jellá Campbell of
Roseville, CA and Clayton K. Rice II of Las Vegas, NV; four
grandchildren: David Jellá of Shingle Springs, CA; Brian Jellá of
Santa Rosa, CA; Steven Jellá of San Diego, CA; Garrett Rice of Las
Vegas, NV; and two great-grandchildren: Grady and Phoebe Jellá of
Santa Rosa, CA. There will be no services per Mr. Rice’s
wishes.