Traverse City Record-Eagle

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January 25, 2013

John Thomas Price

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VISALIA, Calif. — John Thomas Price, 76, retired Redwood High School teacher, coach and drivers training instructor was called to be with our Lord and Savior on Jan. 21, 2013.

John and his wife, Norma Beth Price, recently celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary.

John was born in Benden on April 12, 1936, to Thomas and Harriet Price.

John and Norma attended Traverse City schools, both graduating in 1955. After graduating from Central Michigan University, John and Norma moved to Alpaugh, Calif., where he taught for two years. John then taught drafting and shop classes for 35 years at Redwood High School in California, where he also coached football, baseball and Varsity basketball.

John was a member and usher of the Visalia United Methodist Church, where he and Norma attended weekly Bible study classes. He was a sheriff's Volunteer in Patrol for many years, a past Elk's Lodge member and Breakfast Lions, and an avid follower of Visalia Rawhide Baseball.

John favorably touched many lives with his great compassion, his tremendous love for family and his lasting friendships. Papa always left a kind impression upon those he knew.

John loved to travel with Norma and family, especially to Michigan in summer, where, in his great, patient teaching style, he instilled in his kids the importance of hard work in the cherry orchards while always making time afterward for family games, competitive sports, swimming, drives to the sand dunes and fun. He will be deeply missed.

John is survived by his wife, Norma; sons, Michael Price (Toni LeGras), of Cayucos, Calif., and Thomas Price (Cheryl), of Visalia, Calif.; daughters, Janice Westbay (Rick), of Visalia, Calif., and Sherri Strickland (Col. Kenneth, retired), of Gaston, Ind.; seven grandchildren, Chris Strickland (Ann), Ashley Ling (Capt. Caleb), Brian and Jill Westbay, T.J. and Marissa Price, and Cheri Lujan; seven great-grandchildren, Madisen, Patrick, Evan, Harrison, Celia, Jayden and Acacia; numerous nephews and nieces; and sister, Harriet Buehrer, formerly of Northport.

John was preceded in death by granddaughter, Savana Marie Price.

Services will be held today in Visalia, Calif.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the American Cancer Society, 2222 W. Shaw Ave., Ste. 201, Fresno, CA 93711; the American Heart Association, 7272 Greenville Ave., Dallas, TX 75231; or Central Valley Christian Schools, 5600 W. Tulare Ave., Visalia, CA 93277.

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