David John Rice

Obituary

Born: Denver, Colorado on August 25, 1981

Died: Prater Canyon outside of Star Valley Ranch, Wyoming on January 14, 2024

David was born in Denver, Colorado to Susan Kay Lundahl Rice and Steven Earl Rice. He lived in Vail and Eagle, Colorado until he moved to Glenwood Springs in 1986. He attended elementary, middle and high school in Glenwood Springs. He graduated from Glenwood Springs High School in 2000. He attended the University of Colorado, graduating with a Bachelor of Music Performance in classical guitar in 2005. While in Boulder he played with a variety of bands, and worked at Robb’s Music.

David first moved to Jackson, Wyoming in 2007, and although he moved back to Colorado a couple of times for short periods Jackson and Alpine would be his home until his death. He worked most notably for the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort as a ski coach, as a sound engineer at Hughes Productions, and played in several bands. Playing classical guitar, reggae, and traditional Irish music was his passion. He founded his own music store, Jackson Hole Music, in 2015. He closed the store in 2023 to concentrate on playing, composing, and setting up his recording studio.

David’s other life was skiing. He raced, coached, and skied with his friends and family. His penguin slides down Laramie Bowl were famous. He loved skiing in all its forms, especially the back country. He would die doing what he loved.

He married Danny Blacker at the 4H camp in Alpine, Wyoming on August 21, 2021 after being together for a decade. David described Danny to a friend as “the most amazing, perfect, badass woman in the world.” Known to each other as Juan and Nita, they settled in at their lovely home and studios in Alpine. They lived with their beloved - if rambunctious - dogs, OSO, Mufasa and Lobo.

David’s older brother is Josh Rice of Glenwood Springs Colorado. Josh is married to Sarah Evans. They have two children, Tate and Marierose. A really good day for David was one he shared with Danny, Josh, Sarah, Marierose, Tate and his parents, Susan and Steven. If they were skiing together it was even better.

Every day was ‘the BEST day’ if both skiing and music were involved.

For an excellent tribute to David go here:

https://www.jhnewsandguide.co…

There will be two celebrations of David’s life. They will be at places he loved that will allow us to honor his love for skiing and music.

February 24, Sunlight Mountain Resort, Glenwood Springs, Colorado

We will meet at noon at the base of the Tricero Lift and ride to the top together. We will gather at Leonard’s Lookout for a short celebration and then ski together to the base. At 2:00 skiers and non-skiers will gather at the base for a celebration of David’s life.

February 29, Pine Creek Mountain Resort, Cokeville, Wyoming

We have rented the ski area for the day. Chanman Roots Band will play. Please join us for a day of skiing, stories, and music.

For More details about both celebrations as well as much more about his life please go to:

https://everloved.com/life-of…

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