Bernard P. "Barney" Rice

Bernard P. "Barney" Rice, age 35, of Kalispell and president of North Country Automotive and Marine, Inc., died Tuesday, November 7, 2006, in Panama City, Florida of injuries sustained while participating in an Ironman Triathlon on Nov.4. Barney was born in Great Fall, Montana on Aug 25, 1971 to Peter C and Patricia A Rice.

He attended schools in Great Falls and graduated from C.M. Russell High School. After graduating from the University of San Francisco he worked in his family's automotive and marine businesses in Billings, Great Falls and Kalispell. At the time of his death, Barney was co-owner of North Country Automotive and Marine, Inc. in Kalispell.

Barney was an outdoor enthusiast and enjoyed fishing, boating, hiking, and biking with family and friends.

He is survived by his wife, Michelle Rice of Kalispell, MT, two sons; Asher and Atlas, and stepson, Hunter Danz, all of Kalispell, MT; his mother, Patricia A. Rice of Great Falls, MT; his father and stepmother Peter C. and Stella M. Rice of Bigfork, MT; two sisters; M. Elizabeth Rice-DeBrae of Great Falls, MT and Katherine A. Ray of Gig Harbor, Wash.; stepsister Carrie Simchuk of Seattle, Wash.; and stepbrother Jason Eliason of Kalispell, MT; also numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

A memorial service for Barney will be held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, November 14, 2006 at Pope John Paul II Catholic Church in Bigfork, Montana. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alert Foundation, 210 Sunnyview Lane, Kalispell, MT 59901 or QRU (Quick Response Unit), 810 Grand Avenue, Bigfork, MT 59911. Cremation has taken place. Johnson Mortuary & Crematory is caring for Barney's family.