Dr. Lucian Candler Rice Jr.

Dr. Lucian Candler Rice Jr. passed away peacefully on August 4, 2026, at the age of 82. He was born on March 18, 1944, to the late Lucian Rice Sr. and Jewel Rice.

Lucian lived a life marked by faith, compassion, and selfless service to others. He is survived by his beloved wife, Mary Ann Rice; his sons, Candler Rice and Jonathan Rice; his daughter, Rebecca Rice Rampa; his granddaughters, Alora Rice and Gracie Rampa; his sister, Susan Rice Galloway; and a number of cherished nieces and nephews.

Lucian graduated from Shades Valley High School in Birmingham, Alabama, in 1962. He attended Emory University, where he served as president of the Kappa Alpha Fraternity. He continued his education at Emory University School of Medicine, where he was elected president of his class.

After completing his internship at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, he completed his two year residency at Duke University in Durham. Lucian moved to Asheville in 1973 where he joined the internal medicine practice, Biltmore Medical Associates, with Dr. Ted Hill. Over the ensuing years, Biltmore Medical grew under Lucian’s leadership into the prominent internal medicine practice that it is today. Lucian took great pride in his work and loved his patients. He retired from practice in 2019. In addition to his distinguished medical career, Lucian proudly served his country for six years in the Army Medical Reserve.

Lucian was known for his humility, kindness, compassion, and unwavering dedication to caring for others. He had a calm presence, a warm smile, and a servant’s heart that touched countless lives. He enjoyed skiing, music, and in recent years, especially treasured attending Candler’s performances.

A Celebration of Dr. Rice’s life will be held starting at 3:00 PM on Sunday, August 16 in the Chatlos Memorial Chapel at the Billy Graham Training Center at The Cove, 1 Porters Cove Road, Asheville, NC 28805. Details for a livestream will be added closer to the day of the service. In-person guests will be directed by the Cove staff to parking areas which will have shuttle service beginning at 2:15 PM.

The family extends its heartfelt thanks to Bryan Myers, Jackie Johnson, Peggy Noel and the Givens Estates Community for their compassionate care and support.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: SECU Center for Memory Care,100 Far Horizons Lane, Asheville, NC 28803 or to Samaritans Purse P.O. Box 3000 Boone, NC 28607.

Groce Funeral Home’s Lake Julian team is assisting the family.