Henry Rice Scobee, Jr.

Henry Rice Scobee, Jr., a Mechanical Engineer, Veteran and entrepreneur died Thursday August 18, 2016 in Lake Charles of natural causes.

Henry Rice Scobee, Jr. and his twin brother Hansen Evans Scobee were born in Leesville, LA to Leonora Hansen and Henry Rice Scobee, Sr. on September 17, 1926. Rice attended Leesville High School and was accepted into Texas A & M School of Engineering. His studies were interrupted by World War II, when was called into service as an officer. He also would later serve in the Korean Conflict.

Rice moved to Lake Charles in 1947 and briefly worked for Cities Service Oil Company, then for the oil field services company Magcobar, which meant traveling to oil fields all over the world. In 1961 Rice founded Industrial Equipment & Engineering with partners H.A. “Buster” Carlson, Jr. and Francis Roy. The partners patented a polyolefin seamless tank within a metal tank that was the first of its type and opened the international market.

In addition to his business, Rice was an avid golf and gin rummy player who was the past president of the Lake Charles Country Club where his passionate play upon the golf course and the 19th hole were legendary for both his colorful expressions and his unending quest to perfect his game. His love of the outdoors was expressed by his expertise in hunting and fishing which he shared with his children and grandchildren.

A hard working man by nature and upbringing, Rice was also known for his stamina and sense of humor. Early in his Lake Charles years he met Jeanelle Mary Roy. Their family began in February 1955 and together welcomed their children Henry Rice “Hank” Scobee, III, Claire Marie and Roy Rezin Scobee into the world and, who along with his son-in-law Michael Farley and  grandchildren William Rice and Henry Michael Farley, mourn Rice’s passing. Rice was preceded in death by his brother, Hansen and Grandson Cody.

The friends and family of Henry Rice Scobee, Jr. are invited to share in the celebration of his life on Tuesday August 23, 2016 at 2:00 PM in the chapel of Johnson Funeral Home with the Rev. Craig Davis of First United Methodist Church of Lake Charles will be the celebrant.

Henry Rice Scobee, Jr. has gone to rest. His generation is the last of those who lived through the economic depression and World War. His is the last of his kind in America.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the charity of the donor’s choice.

The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to Heart of Hospice and the Veteran’s Administration for the professional care shown to the family.