Rice Lee VanAusdall died on May 19, 2023 surrounded by his children and grandchildren after a courageous battle with throat cancer. He was 88 years old. Rice was a man of many talents. A lifelong student of the law, he channeled his genuine interest in people into an impressive career as an attorney and judge. However, the jobs he took most seriously were those of devoted husband, loving father, and cherished grandfather and great grandfather. He is survived by the love of his life and wife of 65 years, Carlena Huffman VanAusdall.

Rice was born on June 25, 1934 in Caruthersville, Missouri to Luke and Berinese VanAusdall. One of 5 children, he fondly recalled his boyhood spent on the banks of the Mississippi River. Rice attended Arkansas State University where he was the president of the Sigma Pi fraternity and received the Lee Wilson Award for outstanding graduate.

Part of his good fortune—or misfortune, depending on one’s perspective—was having a family in the car dealership business. Rice spent his college years at the wheel of the “Easter Egg”, a purple, black, and white Dodge too ugly to sell. His car luck proved instrumental in catching the eye of an older woman (one year his senior) Carlena Huffman. They started dating and were married just after graduating on August 4, 1957 in the First Christian Church of Weiner.

Only ten days after they wed, Rice received his commission as an officer in the United States Army where he served three years on active duty as a paratrooper, pathfinder, and Army Ranger in the 101st Airborne. While he was proud of his service, leading his platoon through 33 jumps, he quickly realized that his mind and the law were better tools for him to resolve the conflicts he saw in the world.

Upon his return to civilian life, Rice attended the University of Arkansas School of Law, graduating first in his class a semester early. Rice found a way to overachieve in every aspect of his life. While at law school he was editor in chief of the law review and president of the honor council, and incredibly, he and Carlena still had time to grow their family, adding four kids in as many years.

In 1963 after law school, Carlena and he moved to Harrisburg, Arkansas to be near her family. Rice was admitted to the bar and began a successful twenty-four-year private legal practice. Never the type to wear one hat, while practicing law, he simultaneously served on the state Savings and Loan Commission, was appointed as a delegate to the 7th Arkansas Constitutional Convention, and managed Carlena’s family farm. He was a proud Poinsett County rice and soy bean producer.

Rice joined the First Christian Church at Wiener, where Carlena is a lifelong member. He was a committed and highly valued church community member. His analytical mind complemented his deep faith, and he took great pride in contributing to a well researched and thought-provoking bible study for many years.

Beyond their church, Rice was an integral thread in the Harrisburg community. It’s hard to find someone who doesn’t have a personal story about Rice’s kindness and generosity. He had a deep belief in giving for giving’s sake. Always a humble man, Rice never sought praise or recognition. His gratification came purely from helping others.

In 1987, Rice’s love for the law led him to run for Chancery Judge. While initially reluctant to campaign for the position, being a judge suited him perfectly. His time on the bench embodied the ideal of judicial impartiality; he was universally respected by the attorneys who argued before him, and was beloved by the support staff of all of the courthouses in which he maintained chambers. Rice was also appointed to the Arkansas Judicial Discipline & Disability Commission from 1994 to 2000 and elected its chair, a testament to his reputation for fairness and his judicial temperament. Rice was also a longstanding member of the Arkansas Bar Association and the Poinsett County Bar Association.

While Rice was serious and reserved on the bench, in private he was jovial, outgoing, and wickedly funny. Rice was a truly incredible grandfather; his grandchildren fondly remember his mandate of “no rules in Harrisburg.” Grandaddy, as he was known by his ten grandchildren, was indisputably the most fun adult ever. He was always willing to indulge a wild idea, play a character in a play, go on an adventure, or eat ice cream at 10 o’clock in the morning to take the edge off a hot summer day.

Rice retired from the bench at 74 after 22 years of service. Rice and Carlena lived their golden years to the fullest. They traveled to see their children and grandchildren and were a constant presence at football games, dance recitals, horse shows, musicals, and any other event that involved their grandchildren. Failing health slowed him down two years ago, but not before he and Carlena finally made it to Europe to see France, Belgium, Holland, and the UK with two of their daughters and several grandchildren.

Despite his failing health, Rice remained a voracious reader and learner. He loved to discuss current events and watched his St. Louis Cardinals until the very end. His favorite question to ask a visiting grandchild was “what do you know?” This became something of a family motto. Anytime you would catch up with Grandaddy it was clear that he wanted to know about everything new in your life.

Grandaddy was never one for big speeches or pronouncements. He lived Micah 6:8; “He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good: and what doth the Lord require of thee but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?”

Rice is preceded in death by his parents, grandson Rice Lee VanAusdall III, his son-in-law Jeff Bell. and brothers, Kirby VanAusdall and Rogers VanAusdall, one sister Emma Staten Tipton. He is survived by a large and loving family, including his wife of 65 years Carlena Huffman VanAusdall. His children and their spouses are Tricia Bell of Little Rock, Stacy Grundfest of Little Rock, Rice Lee II and Jill VanAusdall of Nashville, TN, and Carla and Bill Latourette of Sarasota, FL. His cherished grandchildren are Dave Grundfest IV, Luke Latourette, Gracen Grundfest, Anslee Lloyd, Jessie VanAusdall Alexis, John Bell, Emily Bell, Amanda Bell, and Michael Bell. Four great-grandchildren Eleena Alexis, Isabella Price, and Emma-Grace Price, and Julia Bell also survive him. He is also survived by one sister, Bunny Randolph. The family would like to extend our heartfelt thanks and deepest gratitude to Dr. Vonda Houchin of Harrisburg, AR for her friendship and tireless care through this time.

Visitation will be Wednesday May 24 from 5 to 7 P.M. at Jackson Funeral Home in Harrisburg, AR. The funeral will be the following day Thursday May 25th at 1 P.M. at the First Christian Church in Weiner, AR located at 223 Kings Hwy which will be officiated by Pam Hogue. There will be a burial to follow at the Oak Grove Cemetery in Weiner.

Pallbearers include Dave Grundfest IV, Luke Latourette, Bill Latourette, John Bell, Roger Bradley, Greg Jones, and Clint Saxton.

Honorary pallbearers include Bobby Linn, Jeffery Hogue, Kenneth Branum, Clyde Ford, and John May. Arrangements are by Jackson’s Harrisburg Funeral Home