Max McGee Rice, 83, known to many in the Upstate as the founder and longtime director of the Look-Up Lodge Christian retreat center, died May 6, 2012, in Colorado Springs, Colo.
RiceRice was born in Belton on Aug. 19, 1928. He graduated from Furman University in 1949, served in the U.S. Air Force, and went on to become vice president of a family business, Rice Mills.
In 1960, in order to devote himself to full-time Christian ministry, he resigned his vice presidency and sold his interest in Rice Mills. In 1965, he and his wife, Vivian, founded Look-Up Lodge near Travelers Rest. He served as executive director and principal Bible teacher at the retreat center for 30 years.
Rice authored four books on Christian living and served as president of Christian Camping International/USA, vice president of the South Carolina Baptist Convention, president of the South Carolina Baptist Brotherhood, chairman of trustees of Anderson College, and member of the Executive Board of the South Carolina Baptist Convention.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Vivian Barker Rice.
Survivors include three children, seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.