MAUMEE, OHIO, U.S. — Samuel L. Rice Jr. died Aug. 23 at his home in Maumee, Ohio, U.S. The longtime grain executive was 90 years old.

Born in Metamora, Ohio, U.S., about 20 miles from both Toledo and Maumee Ohio, Rice attended Ohio Wesleyan University, Louisiana Poly Tech and Duke University. He served in the Navy in World War II. Afterward, he returned to Duke, graduating with a degree in economics.

In 1946 he joined his father in the grain business — The Rice Grain Co., based in Toledo, Ohio, U.S. He was promoted to president in 1958. Rice specialized in oats, developing the “Turf Club Race Horse Oat” brand, which was a leading feed for thoroughbred horses in the U.S. and South America. At an industry meeting in 1959 he was introduced by a Quaker Oats Co. executive as the “oat king,” an unofficial title he retained throughout his life.

At the time of his death, he was president of Rice Investment Co., a business he established in 1979, specializing in commodity futures and serving customers in the U.S. and Finland.
Active in industry affairs, Rice served on the Advisory Board for the Office of Price Stability during the Korean War; he was chairman of The Grain Advisory Board to Lucas County Port Authority at the opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway; he was president of The Toledo Board of Trade and of the National Grain and Feed Dealers Association. He was on the NGFA board for many years, heading numerous committees. He was a director of the National Grain Trade Council Terminal Elevator Grain Association. He was a member of the Chicago Board of Trade and a director of The Mennel Milling Company.

Rice was preceded in death by his parents, Laura and Samuel Rice, his first wife Joyce DeVerna Rice, brothers George and John Rice, and sister Virgiwin Rice Duncan. He is survived by his wife, Virginia; children Samuel L. Rice III, James D. Rice (Laura), Amanda Day (Willis); grandchildren Samantha and Natalie Day, James and Robert Rice; step-children, Bart Nollenberger (Mary), Bruce Nollenberger (DeeDee); and step-grand children Tiffany and son Niko, Tyler, Dax and Nick Nollenberger, Danielle, Blake, Jennifer and Rachel Nollenberger.

A memorial service was held Friday, Aug. 28, at 11:30 a.m.. at the First Presbyterian Church of Maumee, 200 E. Broadway Street, Maumee, Ohio, U.S., 43537.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to First Presbyterian Church of Maumee.