Donald “Dongo” Lee Rice, age 80, passed away peacefully on July 14, 2026, with his loving wife Debra “Debi” and faithful lab Blondie at his side. Don was born in Kansas City, Missouri on February 13, 1946, the son of Elmer and Nadine (Meek) Rice.

His family moved to Chula Vista after his father, a Navy pilot, was stationed in San Diego. Elmer passed away when Don was ten years old. He was very proud of his dad’s service and always had an American flag flying on his front porch. Don’s mother “Madre” took a job at ROHR and raised him on her own. Until her passing, he never missed watching the Pope’s Christmas Eve address with Madre.

Growing up Don made friends for a lifetime. Whether it was through school, surfing, softball, or who knows what (just ask his friends).

After graduating from Chula Vista High School Don worked many years as a window designer for Walker Scott in San Diego. There was concern from family and friends when he left Walker Scott to start his landscaping business. Don the entrepreneur succeeded, keeping a loyal customer base until he retired.

Along with his wife Debi, Don’s passions were cars and surfing (he never met a surfboard he didn’t like), Hawaiian shirts (he always wore), his doggie children, and entertaining the neighborhood with his Christmas and Halloween displays. Clark Griswold would be envious.

Don had two lifetimes, pre and post Debi. In 1992 they met at Mulvaney’s on Broadway in CV. One of Don’s hangouts was where Debi worked. It took quite a while but eventually he won her over. He said she was the best thing that ever happened to him. In 2006 he was diagnosed with throat cancer. Debi nursed him through it, after beating that he knew she was his life partner. He proposed at a Rolling Stones concert under a shower of popcorn from the people around them. In 2007 they were married. Don and Debi brought a Hawaiian luau to their backyard for the wedding, including hula dancers, a fire eater and a pig roast.

Don went through two more rounds of cancer (colon and skin), beating them with Debi at his side. Rather than put cancer in the past, Don volunteered with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and mentored men and women going through treatment. He donated his time and a surfboard or two for charity drives.

Don is survived by his wife Debi, Blondie, cousins Ann Lee Meek, Karen Weston, and Vicky Vodrey. Sister-in-law Linda (Kieran) Mulligan, nephews Matthew (Camille) Weston, Michael (McKenzie) Weston, Christopher (Mary) McCleary, Justin (Samantha) McCleary, Stanley Schwing, and niece Melissa (Scott) Wittkopp. Also by his “adopted” sister, friend  Carol Molyueaux, and lifetime friends Ned “Nedo” Renick, James “Sto” Stoball, Georgia Ellis, David Salinas, Pat “Murph” Murphy, Jack Weatherall, Mark Smolanovich, Gordon Ricketts, Mark Martinson, and many more.

Debi wants to send a special thank you to Sea Coast Hospice for their loving care of Don, especially his caregiver Yoli.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Sharp HealthCare Foundation in support of Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center, 8695 Spectrum Center Blvd, San Diego 92123.

Donate to Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center

Don was a loving son, husband, friend, cousin, uncle, and neighbor. A surfer, artist, poet, and collector. He will be missed by all. Rest in peace Dongo.