Coleman Rice

Coleman Mryle went home to be with his Lord and Savior at the age of 96 on September 23, 2025. Preceded in death by his Mother, Eunice, And Father, Coleman, brothers Luther Kent and Eddy Joe, and sisters Eunice Coleen and Kaleta Deene, and his son, Jeff Kent Rice.

Survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Dorene (Cloud) (Beaton) Rice, his children Jim and wife Laurel, Allen and wife Alicia, Jerry, Brian and wife Liz, Craig, Jody and husband John Sharpe, 21 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchild.

Coleman Mryle was born in Plainview, Texas, to Coleman Morrison Rice and

Eunice Gertrude (Rhodes) Rice at the home of Aunt Thelma (Rhodes) and Uncle Ballard Winkle. The family moved to Borger, Texas, and was active members of Borger First Church of the Nazarene. While in Borger, Coleman's brothers and sisters were born, first Luther Kent, then Eunice Coleen, Kaleta Deene, and Eddy Joe. Eddy Joe died a few hours after being born.

Coleman showed musical talent at a young age and soon started piano lessons with his mother. He recalled those lessons, "one hour every day for five years, Mother and I cried". Music would be a lifelong passion for Coleman. The Rice children sang as a quartet at church and other events around Borger.

In 1941, the family moved to Corpus Christi, Texas, for a few years. The family moved to De Ridder, Louisiana, but soon moved back to Corpus Christi. His parents divorced, and in high school, Coleman worked at a local grocery store to help his Mother with the family finances. A few years after High School graduation, the Korean Conflict started, and Coleman enlisted in the Air Force.

Trained as a Radar Tech, he was stationed at Ellington AFB, Houston, Texas. Coleman received an Honorable Discharge from the Air Force and moved back to Corpus Christi.

Coleman soon received a job offer from Pasadena Nazarene College to teach music at the Pasadena High School Academy and attend the College. Prior to the start of his senior year, Coleman married Mary (Sweet) (Rice) Hill. Coleman postponed that final year and took a job at Vonn's Grocery. Their first son, Jim, was born, Jerry was born a few years after, and then Jeff.

In 1965, Coleman and Mary adopted a beautiful baby girl; they named her Jody. Sometime later, Coleman and Mary would divorce.

Coleman was introduced to Dorene (Cloud) Beaton. Dorene's husband, Jerry, had died, and they had three boys, Allen, Brian, and Craig. February 6 1970, Coleman and Dorene married and moved the new family to Covina California. Coleman and Dorene made it clear from the start that there are no step-children or step-brothers or sisters; we are your parents, and you are all our children.

Coleman worked at Vonn's and was Minister of Music at Covina First Church of the Nazarene. In the mid-seventies, he returned to college and earned a B.A. in Music from Azusa Pacific College. In 1977, they moved to Citrus Heights, CA, and Coleman was a warehouse manager for Handyman and later a Facilities manager for Cigna. He was also on staff at Sacramento First Church of the Nazarene as the Minister of Music and later as Pastor of Small Group Ministries.

In retirement, Coleman and Dorene sold their house in Sacramento and moved to Moody Texas,. and built The Moody House. They lived in Moody until health issues forced a move to Allen Tx. to be closer to family. In Allen, Coleman finally had a real work shop where he spent many hours on his new hobby woodworking.

Coleman loved his family and friends and was always ready to help in any way he could.

Family, Faith, Music and Ministry are Coleman's legacy.

I lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Seminario Biblico Nazareno Chile Student Scholarship.

A memorial Service for Coleman will be held on November 21st, 11:00 am at

Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery

2000 Mountain Creek Pkwy

Dallas TX 75211