Trending
Feb. 7, 1965-Oct. 23, 2026
Minot
Justin Mark Rice, 61, Minot, ND, passed away Friday, October 23, 2026, in his home surrounded by his family.
Justin was born February 7, 1965, the son of Johnny C. and Janice M. (Savago) Rice in Waterloo, IA. He was raised in Waterloo and educated there and in Gilbertville, IA. He attended high school in Waterloo at East High School and Port Isabel High School in Port Isabel, TX.
Justin attended college at Southmost College in Brownsville, TX for a short time before enlisting in the United States Air Force on September 19, 1985. He earned his Associates Degree in Business Administration and Management at the Community College of the Air Force, Maxwell AFB in 1988. He continued his education at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, FL from 1988-2000, graduating with a Bachelors and Masters Degree in Aeronautical Operations and Administration.
Justin began his military career as an Administrative Specialist, obtained a commission, became a B-52 navigator, then served in leadership positions. He later served as a B-52 navigator instructor and evaluator. Justin planned many missions and flew 102 combat sorties during operations in Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan. After 29 years of service, he retired as a Lieutenant Colonel on August 31, 2014. He later went on to work in the oilfield as a Flowback Manager and then returned to Minot Air Force Base as a government Quality Control Specialist at the B-52 simulator which he continued into October 2026.
Justin realized his dream of being a father on April 18, 1991, with the birth of his son, Tyler, followed by the birth of his daughter, Marissa, on January 6, 1993. On May 11, 2002, Justin married the love of his life, Angela Luckman. Their son, Hunter, was born on October 31, 2004. They had just one move to Virginia with the Air Force before returning to Minot, ND, where Justin lived out the rest of his life. Justin had 7 grandchildren born since 2016. Justin valued God and his family above all else. He was an affectionate husband, father and grandfather who loved to spend time with his family in whatever way he could. He was fun, energetic and patient through the years with his kids and grandkids. He would always lend a listening ear, was nonjudging of mistakes and stayed positive and strong through whatever challenges he faced.
Justin enjoyed tennis, weightlifting, running, cycling and walking and would share these activities with family and friends whenever he got the chance. He was thrilled to become the owner and pilot of his very own Mooney Bravo aircraft in 2025. He flew his plane to Iowa several times to visit his family as well as a trip to Taos, New Mexico with Angie and Hunter.
Justin is survived by his wife of 24 years, Angie Rice; children, Tyler (Cha'Nel) Rice, Marissa (Geoff) Brackett, and Hunter Rice; grandsons, Barrett, Grahm and Axeton Rice; granddaughters, Bexley, Delta, Beylah and Dovri Brackett; mother, Janice Rice; siblings, Jackie Kugler and Jay Rice; as well as a large extended family.
He was preceded in death by his father, Johnny C. Rice; and brother-in-law, Bill Kugler.
Celebration of Life: Friday, October 30, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, Minot.
The service will be livestreamed for the public to view and can be accessed by going to the Thompson-Larson Funeral home website: www.thompson larson.com
Those wishing to share memories may access the online obituaries section at (www.thompson larson.com).
Published by The Minot Daily News, October 29, 2026.