Jesse Anderson “Andy” Rice, age 78, passed away peacefully on October 13, 2025, at his home in Murphy, NC. His favorite life saying came from another Andy, “Get busy living or get busy dying” and many can affirm he followed that to the letter.
Born in Florence SC, Andy spent his childhood and formative years with loving parents and two sisters in Anderson, SC. He was active in Cub and Boy Scouts, duck hunting and roaming plowed fields searching for Native American artifacts. In 1965 Andy graduated from T.L. Hanna High School, though his primary focus for those four years was on running Cross Country and distance events in Track.
To the dismay of many, he graduated from The Citadel in 1969 and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Infantry. He was a decorated combat veteran, serving as a Rifle, then Recon Platoon Leader, and Company Commander in Cambodia and South Vietnam. He served ten years on active duty and fourteen more in the Reserves, as a Special Projects Officer, with CID, and various intelligence assignments.
After leaving the active Army, Andy entered graduate school, becoming a social studies teacher in the Fulton County system in Georgia. He enjoyed teaching at Crestwood, Independence and Chattahoochee High Schools as a classroom teacher and department head before retiring in 2007.
An accomplished historical researcher, starting in the early 1960’s, he had a passion for metal detecting and salvage diving, ethically recovering artifacts from the Colonial era through the War Between the States from obscure sites he located in his native South Carolina. Based on his unique recoveries, he authored several articles, booklets and contributed to multiple reference sources on excavated artifacts, munitions and weapons of the period through World War Two.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Mary Louise Anderson Rice and Earle McGee Rice, and sister, Louisa McGee “Wesa” Lund. He is survived by his patient and devoted Bride of 23 years, Diane, son Jesse (Christine), sister Mary Earle Rice Haynes, and beloved and faithful canine companions, Maggie and Bella.
A private family interment service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, those interested are asked to consider making a donation to support their favorite animal support agency, or perform an anonymous, random act of kindness for someone in need, suggesting that struggling students and nurses have priority.
Townson-Rose Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.