THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS Orange County Chapter held its Installation of 2024-2025 Officers Dinner and Mass at Christ Cathedral on July 20.
Brother Knight Jeff Rice was appointed as chapter president by Knights of Columbus California State Deputy James Larson.
“I have known and worked with Brother Jeff for many years,” Larson said. “Jeff’s election to chapter president of the Orange County Chapter is a true blessing to me and our State Council.”
BROTHER KNIGHT JEFF RICE AND HIS WIFE SHELLIE PROCESS INTO CHRIST CATHEDRAL DURING THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS OFFICERS INSTALLATION MASS CELEBRATED ON JULY 20. PHOTO BY JACK HANEY
Larson also officiated as Brother Knights Louis Gardner (Vice President), Patrick Murach (Secretary), Ralph Ruiz (Treasurer), Steven Martinez (Marshall), Zenaldo Zilva (Marshall) and Ronald Knowles (Advocate) were appointed to their new positions.
Rice’s father, Richard E. Rice, was chapter president when the Diocese of Orange was installed by Pope Paul VI in 1976. They are the first legacy father/son to serve in this role within Orange County.
The elder Rice was born in Council Bluffs, Iowa. He served in the U.S. Navy aboard the escort aircraft carrier USS Sitkoh Bay (CVE-86) during the Korean War and subsequently worked in the aerospace industry before moving to Garden Grove and becoming a Knight in 1964. He served a variety of local council and Orange County Chapter offices before his selection as chapter president. He later was district deputy for two terms in the mid-1980s.
RICHARD RICE CIRCA 1970. PHOTO COURTESY OF JEFF RICE
Richard Rice died in 2018 at age 86.
“As a child,” Jeff rice recalled, “I remember the family times at the old Garden Grove Council 4581 and going to Chatsworth for the Boys Ranch Fundraiser carnival and the annual Brothers of St. Patrick picnics.”
He added: “As an adult, there was the Corporate Masses with my brothers and their families, and, of course, the Day of Sharing carnivals for those with intellectual and special needs.”
Jeff Rice became a Knight in 2004. He too has served in a variety of local council and chapter positions, including Grand Knight of Fr. Peter JJ Juba Council 4922 in Orange, as well as chapter treasurer, vice president, and now as chapter president.
“My father was quite proud that I was a District Deputy over his former council, Garden Grove Council 4581,” the younger Rice said. “He would have been beaming to see me become the Orange County Chapter President.”
Jeff is married to Shellie Rice, née Cook, of Orange. He was previously a city planner for various municipalities in Southern California. Currently, he is on the executive committee for the Santiago Retreat Center and its summer camp in Silverado.
At present, there are 47 councils, eight Fourth Degree assemblies and over 6,500 Brother Knights in the Orange County Chapter.
Rice’s plans for the future include increasing the number of Chapter councils by two plus a College Council at the Santiago Trade School at Santiago Retreat Center and a Byzantine/Maronite/Coptic Council in one of the many Eastern Rite Catholic parishes.
“Good communication allows the Columbianism and faith of our Order to reach all corners of the Diocese so that all Knights here in Orange County can serve our bishops and clergy who tirelessly serve us.”
Very Rev. Bao Thai, rector of Christ Cathedral and chaplain of the Knights of Columbus Orange County Chapter, shared this statement:
“I am glad to see this take place at Christ Cathedral,” Fr. Bao said. “On behalf of Bishop Vann, the shepherd of the Diocese and the pastor of Christ Cathedral, I congratulate all the new officers and thank you so much for your zealous service.”
For more information on the Knights of Columbus Orange County Chapter, visit https://ockc.net/