Larry Rice was owner and general manager of KBRB AM & FM in Ainsworth, Nebraska. The son of C.C. and Sylvia Rice, he grew up on a farm owned by his uncle and managed by his father near Pickering, Missouri. A graduate of Pickering High School in 1956, Larry attended Northwest Missouri State in Maryville intending to become a high school coach.
Announcing part time at KNIM became full time and an offer in 1959 from KFEQ-TV in St. Joseph, Missouri to become the station’s weatherman, left a possible coaching career behind. At the same time, he was a disc jockey on KFEQ radio which led to another offer, this time with KBKC in Kansas City.
Larry and his former boss at KNIM, Gil Poese, then reunited becoming partners in the ownership and operation of KBRX in O’Neill, Nebraska for the next ten years.
In 1968, Larry built KBRB literally from the ground up.
Larry and his wife, Linda, have four children; Mrs. Natalie Miles, Lincoln; Eric, Gothernberg; Lorinda, Ainsworth and Kyle, Maryville, Missouri.
Larry believes a broadcast license is “a license to serve.” And serve he did. His community of Ainsworth honored him as Businessman of the Year for his community service. Larry has also received the Governor’s Business Achievement Award. A past president of the Nebraska Broadcasters Association and long-time board member, Larry’s philosophy has included a total commitment to his community, his state, and his broadcast profession.
Larry passed away at his home on Sunday April 21 and is survived by Wife, Linda of Ainsworth, 4 Children, Natalie Miles of Lincoln, Eric Rice of Gothenburg, Lorinda Connelly of Lincoln and Kyle Rice of Parkersburg, IA.
Funeral Service is scheduled to begin at 10:30 at Lila McAndrew Gymnasium in Ainsworth this Saturday.