Obituaries, July 10, 2025

Angela Dawn (Richardson) Murdock, Ronald Lee Rice Sr.

Angela Dawn (Richardson) Murdock

Angela Dawn (Richardson) Murdock, 59 years old, of Kokomo, passed away Friday night, July 4, 2025, by means of a car accident. She was born in Kokomo, IN, on November 12, 1965, the daughter of Leon and Doris (Clark) Richardson. On August 7, 1987, she married Jim Murdock, and he survives.

Angie was a 1984 graduate of Taylor High School. She then achieved a Paralegal Certificate when she graduated from Ivy Tech University. She worked as a paralegal for several attorneys in the Kokomo area over the years, with the past 15 years spent working for Brent Dechert of Dechert Law.

Angie was a woman whose heart was deeply rooted in her faith. First and foremost, she was devoted to her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and her life reflected a steadfast commitment to her church and spiritual family. Throughout her journey, Angie made it her mission to pass down her love for Christ to her children, instilling in them the same strong foundation of faith that guided her every day.

She shared a beautiful love story with her husband Jim, celebrating nearly 38 years of marriage. They looked forward to marking this milestone with a special trip to the East Coast, a testament to the enduring bond they shared.

Family was Angie’s greatest joy and pride. She adored her three children, cherished her two daughters-in-law, and was the proud grandmother to five wonderful grandchildren. Angie’s love for her family was boundless, and she poured her heart into making every moment with them special. She was the spark behind countless family vacations, the organizer of lively game nights, and the queen of sleepovers and dance parties with her grandchildren. Those joyful moments, filled with laughter and love, were the very essence of her life.

Angie’s grandchildren were the light of her life, and she was their biggest cheerleader—never missing a ball game, gymnastics event, or any activity they were part of. Her weekend sleepovers with the grandkids were a treasured tradition that gave her children a well-deserved chance for date nights or a bit of rest. Those evenings spent laughing, dancing, and creating memories with the little ones were what Angie lived for.

Angie was a woman who loved deeply, laughed often, and lived fully. Her fun-loving spirit, unwavering faith, and boundless love touched the lives of all who knew her. She will be dearly missed but forever remembered as an amazing woman who made every day a celebration of life and love.

In addition to her husband Jim, Angie is survived by her sons James “Jimmy” Murdock, Josh (Sarah) Murdock, and Caleb (Alexis) Murdock, her beloved grandchildren Payton, Karlyn, Madison, Amriel, and Tate, brother Greg (Dora) Richardson, sister, Tammy (Randy) Boruff, mother-in-law Carole Murdock, sisters-in-law Sheri Murdock and Corrine Baker, and several other extended family members.

She was preceded in death by her father Leon Richardson and mother Doris (Clark) Richardson.

Friends are invited to visit with the family from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, July 11, 2025, at Crossroads Community Church – South Campus, 4254 S. 00 EW., Kokomo, IN 46902. A funeral service celebrating Angie’s life will begin 11 a.m. Saturday, July 12, 2025, at the church with Pastor Mike Buck officiating. Burial will follow in Albright Cemetery. Contributions and checks may be made out to Shirley & Stout Funeral Home C/O her grandchildren’s education fund. Shirley & Stout Funeral Home & Crematory has been entrusted with arrangements.

Ronald Lee Rice Sr.

In the verdant fields of Elwood, Indiana, under the watchful gaze of the heavens, was born a man of gentle heart and generous spirit, Ronald Lee Rice Sr., known to kin and comrade as Ron. On the 29th day of February in the year of our Lord 1948, he embarked upon life's journey, a journey that would span the seasons until the eighth day of July in the year 2025, when he did lay down his earthly mantle in the town of Kokomo, Indiana.

Ron was the cherished progeny of Donald M. Rice and Della M. Handell. Ron's life was a tapestry woven with the golden threads of kinship, leaving behind a legacy in the form of his beloved children Emily Wylds, Jesse Rice, and Matthew Rice. His siblings Dannie Zehner, Nancy Rainey, Robert McClaren, and Jim Nash remain as the keepers of his memory, the guardians of the stories that will echo through the ages.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his son Ronnie Lee Jr.

In the hallowed halls of Western High School, Ron's mind was sharpened, his character forged, and his friendships kindled. His hands, ever so handy, and his heart, ever so gentle, found their calling in the noble labor at Ollie's and Chrysler, where for many a year he toiled with dedication and pride. His brethren in work and fellowship will recall his steadfastness, his laughter, and the camaraderie that bound them as tightly as the steel they wrought. He enlisted into the United States Army August 27, 1969, and served his country proudly until 1971.

When the day's labor was done, Ron would mount his iron steed, his Harley, and with the wind as his companion, he would traverse the open roads. In these moments of freedom, his spirit soared as he became one with the world around him, a world that he embraced with the same generosity that he bestowed upon all who crossed his path. Ron enjoyed playing pool with his friends at the local bars and at home.

Ronald Lee Rice Sr., a man of humble beginnings, lived a life rich in the things that truly matter. His was a presence that could calm the tempest, a smile that could light the darkest of days. He walked among us as a beacon of kindness, his hands ever ready to build, to fix, to give.

Let us not mourn the setting of this radiant star but rather celebrate the brilliance with which he illuminated our lives. For Ron, the journey continues beyond the veil, where the roads are endless and the skies are clear. And though he rides now in a realm beyond our sight, his legacy endures in the hearts he touched, the lives he enriched, and the love he gave without measure.

Farewell, Ron, noble rider, gentle craftsman, generous soul. Your story is etched in the annals of time, and your memory shall be cherished evermore. City of Firsts Cremation and Funeral Services by Rose and Geiger was entrusted with the arrangements. www.cityoffirstscremations.com