The best moment of a Christian man’s life is his last one because it is the one nearest to Heaven…Lucas David Rice left this world on March 24, 2025, to be with his Lord and Savior, doing what he loved, working with horses.
His services will be held on Thursday, April 3, at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Redfield, SD. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. with his funeral service starting at 1:00 p.m. Reverend Keith C. Kraft will officiate. Lunch and fellowship will follow the service in the church hall. After lunch, burial will be at Rockham Grace Cemetery in Rockham, SD. There will be a branding held at the cemetery, so bring your brands, so you can brand Luke’s casket.
The funeral service will be live-streamed on the funeral home’s website below Lucas’s obituary. Arrangements have been entrusted to Hyke Funeral Home of Redfield (www.hykefuneralhome.com).
Lucas David Rice was born April 11, 1982, in Miller, SD, to his proud parents, Neil and Janet (Akin) Rice. He joined his brother Travis and 4 years later, his sister Sarah arrived, then Halie and Briana followed later. Summers and weekends were spent mostly with his siblings on his grandparents’ ranch north of Rockham, SD. He was baptized and confirmed at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Redfield. He attended Redfield Public School and graduated with the Class of 2000. After graduation, he attended Mitchell Vo Tech and was a proud member of the Mitchell Vo Tech College Rodeo Team for 4 years. He worked in the Mitchell and Letcher areas. After graduating from Mitchell Vo Tech, he worked in the Rapid City, SD area and became great friends with Harvey and Kathy McPherson. He enjoyed going to local brandings where he met his future wife. He married Tommi Jo Casteel on July 22, 2011. He became an instant Dad to her 4 children: Mattie, Lane, Mesa, and Levi. Teaching them to rope and ride was a true gift he gave each of them. On February 22, 2016, Mecarty Skye Rice was born and completed their family. They lived in Vale, Opal, Prairie City, and finally settled in Bison, SD, where their children attended school.
Lucas was a horse and Border Collie trainer with a wealth of knowledge. He had a mission to cultivate his horses and dogs into top-notch animals for others to enjoy. He always wanted them to go to someone who was a great fit for both the owner and the animal. He loved all aspects of ranch life from sunrise to sunset. He was always willing to teach anyone how to rope or ride, whether they were 7 or 75, it did not matter. He was always a humble man and even on his worst day, he could always put a smile on someone else’s heart. He could be heard saying, “Be the bigger person” or “Everything happens for a reason.” He worked closely with many of the local ranchers in the area, but especially enjoyed working with Colin and Whitney LaMont and their children, Landree and Wellington. He touched many lives throughout his life. He will be greatly missed by his family and many friends throughout the entire United States, especially his roping buddies at James McCord Barn in White Lake SD, where he roped the day before his death, the 3L Productions Rodeo Events and Miller Invitational of Spearfish, along with many other west river local roping’s and ranch rodeos.
He now resides in Heaven with His Lord and Savior on the ranch of his dreams. Until we meet again, let your light shine and be the bigger person. God Bless each and every one who is here today or is here in spirit.
Lucas is survived by Tommi Jo, Mecarty, Mattie, Lane, Mesa, and Levi; Terry and Janet, Clint and Carol, Mary; Travis, Angela, Olivia and Addy, Sarah; Halie, Dalton, Clayton and Suttyn; Briana, Austin, Braxton, Landry and Lawsyn; Kris, Lora, Tammy, Kellie, Brent, Tony and their families, Mike and Nancy, Buck and Diane, Sheila, Vicki and their families, the Kissner cousins, and many other relatives.
He is preceded in death by Neil, David and Cleone, Lewis and Delores, Gayle, and Pete.