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Atmore Dentist Found Dead From Gunshot Wound
November 21, 2009
The Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff’s Department is investigating the death of Atmore dentist who was found dead from a gunshot wound in his home Saturday.
Dr. Thomas Alvin Rice, Jr., 54, was discovered dead at his residence in the 3600 block of Highway 31 in Nokomis late Saturday afternoon. Rice died from a gunshot wound, according to Escambia County (Ala.) Chief Deputy Mike Lambert. Officials are not currently saying if foul play is suspected in Rice’s death; they are awaiting autopsy results from the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences in Mobile.
His death is still under investigation by the Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff’s Department.
Dr. Rice was a 1982 graduate of the Unversity of Alabama. He has held an active dental license in Alabama since June of 1982, and has practiced dentistry at 111 East Ridgely Street in Atmore for a number of years.
Comments
30 Responses to “Atmore Dentist Found Dead From Gunshot Wound”
ROLL TIDE the first ALABAMA game was won last night and I cheer for them now in memory of you. It brings me back to when we watched a football game together that was a great memory in my life. Dr. Rice the memory of you and football will always be a huge part of my life. Now that deer hunting is coming up it reminds me of when I first meet you down at my parents house I remember that classic red truck and that day I knew that you were a great person I feel for you because of your personality and you had one of the best personalitys that I had ever seen. Your mom told me at the funeral she wanted you to find love that some of the people you were with chose you for certain reasons trust me I know i made a mistake in my past but I chose you on your personality. I can”t wait to go to heven and apoligize to you
I am still missing that wonderful personality thank you for all the wonderful things you did for me even during these rough times that I am going through it makes me know that somebody cared and there are still good people in the world.
I.m still missing you like crazy this world is not the same without you I wish Sierra my daughter could had known the wonderful man you were. Love always.
Dad I misss u a lot can’t wait to see u again I miss Ridin horses and racing the dirt bikes and learning to ride a street bikes and stuff I love u forever and always ur son Alex rice but Iam 16 teen now I miss I drive by the house every day wishing we were still living happy there and I tryed to get the horse we both use to ride togethere but they told me no well I’ll promise u I’ll see u all sum day again daddy RIP daddy I love u
Curious — if other media decided to become sensational and report other information that is not yet confirmed, that’s their business.
The story stands as it is above until the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences releases their final determination.
We don’t speculate, become sensational and speculate. We report facts.
william, why did you not stay on top of this story like you usually do?? i normally get the lastest here but i saw elsewhere about a possible suicide with note. why did u not pursue this further?? find it strange!!!
My thoughts and prayers are with Miss Emma Gaye Rice and family. This is such a tradgedy. Dr. Rice was a very meek and mild tempered man and very easy to work for. He will be missed by many. Alex I pray you are able to get through this. I know how much he meant to you and you to him. He is now at peace no longer in pain. I hope whatever the truth is will be revealed.
SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE SIAD THE SAME WORDS AND KNOW THEY CAN RIGTH A WRONG.. LET GOD BE YOUR GUIDE YOU HAVE TO LOOK IN A MIRROR THE REST OF YOUR LIVES..DR. RICE IS A PEACE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A LONG TIME.. LETS ALL PULL TOGETHER AND HELP TRY TO PROVE WHO DID THIS, THE LAW CAN’T DO THIS ALONE ANY ONE CAN CALL THE SHERIFFS DEPT.AND THEY WILL TALK TO YOU. WHAT YOU KNOW CAN HELP TOM………………………..
I HAVE KNOWN DR. RICE AND HIS FAMILY AND HIS OFFICE PERSONEL FOR YEARS. THIS IS A VERY TRAGIC FOR ALL OF US, AND WE ARE ALL AND I MEAN ALL IN PAIN. HE HAS 2 CHILDREN , A DAUGHTER (JORDAYN) AND A SON (ALEX) WHOM ARE BOTH IN A GREAT DEAL OF PAIN, IT IS SO SAD AND THEY NEED MUCH COMFORT NOW FROM ALL. NO ONE BUT GOD AND THOMAS KNOWS WHY THIS HAPPENED. WE CAN ALL MAKE OUR GUESSES BUT WE WILL NEVER UNDERSTAND WHY. EVERYONE NEEDS TO COME TOGETHER AND REMEMBER THE LIFE OF THOMAS AND CELEBRATE IT. REMEMBER HOW WHEN HE SMILED AND LAUGHED HOW HIS EYES WOULD LIGHT UP. HE LOVED AND CARED FOR ALOT OF PEOPLE AND HE WILL BE GREATLY MISSED. INSTEAD OF ANGER LETS EMBRACE HIS LIFE AND TELL OUR STORIES OF OUR TIMES WITH HIM, FOR HE WALKS WITH GOD NOW AND HE IS IN A MUCH HAPPIER PLACE THAN WE ARE. MY HEART GOES OUT TO HIS WIFE, HIS MOTHER, HIS 2 SISTERS AND BROTHER IN LAWS AND THEIR CHILDREN, HIS BROTHER IN LAW , SISTER IN LAW AND THEIR CHILDREN, HIS PERSONEL, HIS PATIENTS, HIS FRIENDS, AND HIS SON AND DAUGHTER. FOR WE HAVE LOST A SON, A HUSBAND,A FATHER, A BOSS, A WONDERFUL FRIEND, FOR HE IS SMILING UPON US ,WITH HIS WINGS WRAPPED AROUND US AND WALKING WITH GOD. HE IS AT PEACE, UNLIKE US.
Wow, I can’t believe this happened. My thoughts and prayers are with ya’ll.
everyone has an ideal person in mind, Dr. Rice was a truly wonderful man and loved his work and his kids.My heart goes out to the three nice ladies that worked with him hand and knee daily.
DR. RICE AND HIS STAFF MISS JUDY AND SHERRY HAVE TREATED MY KIDS FOR 7 YR.. HIS SON WAS AT THE OFFICE ALOT AND YOU COULD FEEL THE FAMILY LOVE . I PRAY FOR HIS SON AND MISS JUDY AND SHERRY AS THE Y MADE THE PERFECT TEAM FOR KIDS AND ADULTS ALIKE. DO NOT FRET GOD WILL CATCH THE PERSON WHO DID THIS AND THEY WILL PAY IN THE AFTER LIFE WHICH LAST FOREVER,,,,WE WILL LOVE ALL OF YOU FOREVER AND THERE IS A SPECIAL PLACE IN HEAVEN FOR DR. RICE ,MISS JUDY ,SHERRY AND HIS SON
On Saturday, there will be a Memorial Service so that all those who loved Dr. Rice can share their stories. Please come to Johnson Quimby Funeral home to honor his life.
Rodney:
Good point,And the truth will come out it always does, We want justice for tom, I was close to the rice family.And this is tragic,And so crazy that it has happened.
And what we know right now lets hope it is true and it confesses!
Rodney:
Be surprised: we all want to know who is involved but friends and family are the only ones with the real up todate info and iam one of those poeople that were close to the rice family and we all have an idea.And hate to say it but some others think it would be weird for someone to write that.
to Jennifer:
I wrote that because of exactly what it states. I wonder who was involved in this. Everyone has opinions and that is why we have the options to comment on here. So think it is weird if you want. It is a very sad situation and I am curious of who would do such an act.
Emma funeral is tmrrw whats going on saturday then?
Tomorrow is funeral for dr rice,cant believe we have to say good bye
DR. THOMAS RICE JRS’. MOTHER ,SISTERS AND OFFICE STAFF WOULD LIKE TO INVITE ALL WHO KNEW DR. RICE TO COME TO A CELEBRATION OF HIS LIFE ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 28 , 2009 AT JOHNSON QUIMBY FUNERAL HOME IN ATMORE, ALABAMA. GOD HAS BLESSED ALL WHO KNEW HIM…………
GOD ALWAYS KNOWS EVERYONES TRUE HEART AND KNOWS WE LOVE YOU AS YOU NEW WE WE DID TOM…. MY PRAYERS ARE NOW WITH ALEX. HE LOVED YOU SO MUCH .THIS LAST YEAR HAS BEEN WONDERFUL SEEING YOU AND HIM TOGETHER SO MUCH. I LOVE YOU ALEX AND I KNOW YOU ARE HURTING BUT REMEMBER YOUR DADS WORDS “GOD IS TAKING CARE OF US BACHELORS AND WE CAN MAKE BACHELOR BANANA PUDDING” WE WILL ALWAYS BE HERE FOR YOU.
Dr. Rice was a big man with a good heart. He did not deserve what happened to him.
Dr rice was a very well known man for his work in the communtiy to a loving caring person to family friends and patients. It is a cruel act for anyone to go and do such a crime to someone who was well loved and cared. I hope the truth comes out soon, And that prayers go out to his sons Alex and Jordan. I have gotten to know dr rice in the past several weeks and He is a fun,nice caring man,He did not deserve this , May you rest in peace Dr rice,You will be missed terribly for your outstanding community helping,Being a generous man and THE BEST FATHER ANYONE CHILD WISHES TO HAVE.
I was real close to the children of Dr.Rice. I cant believe this would happen..And my love is with the family! I miss you Alex and Jordan:(
i sooo hope yall find the truth, who ever did this is sick and cruel, one of my friends was really close to his children, mainly his son.one of my other friends was one of his patients and she said he was real nice.so i hope yall find the ppl who did this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
OK whoever posted hmmm.cant wait to see who is involed in this one, I would not write that in that way makes it look kinda weird that you would only write that and nothing else
R,I.P Dr rice i will miss you
hmmm, can’t wait to see who was involved in this one.
Dr rice was a wonderful man and a great father to his son, I ant believe this would happen to him,I know him personally and this is a big shocker for me,A great man nice to everyone and was a big part of the community and I hope they finbd who did this awful crime to him and they pay for taking a loving caring friend from me and from all others.
May you rest in peace thomas we will miss you dearly.
Jennifer
It’s very sad. People should stop and think. You can kill a person without actually pulling the trigger yourself!
I hope they find the whole truth about this tragedy!
How sad. Dr. Rice did a lot for the community of Atmore and surrounding area that many never knew about. He did free clinics for the children in Monroe and Escambia County Schools. Many times seeing little ones whose parents did not have the ability to pay. He will be sorely missed.
Maybe now he will have that peace he so much desired.
Rest in Peace Dr. Rice.