James "Jack" Price's Obituary
James M."Jack" Price, age 94, passed away on Thursday, January 28, 2016 at Poppen House with his children at his side. Jack was born in Muskegon, MI on April 9, 1921 to Max and Byrd (Decker) Price. He attended St. Jean's school through 12th grade and graduated as the valedictorian in 1939. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Notre Dame in 1943, enlisted in the service and returned to Notre Dame after the war for post-graduate work.
Jack joined the Army Air Forces and was assigned to the 500th Service Squadron. During World War II, he served in North Africa and the China, Burma, India Theater. A highlight of his time in the service was witnessing the surrender of the Japanese forces in Burma in 1945. In 1950, he married his high-school sweetheart, Genevieve "Jeff" Vallier. They left for a honeymoon trip to Detroit, with a stop in Fowlerville, MI for pheasant hunting (a side trip that was unknown to Genevieve, but gave her a taste of what her married life would be about!) From his father, he inherited a lifelong love of hunting and fishing. His interest in wildlife and the outdoors took him on many adventures all over the world. Jack and Genevieve started their married life living in Muskegon but moved the family (Penny, Kathy, Paul) to Whitehall in 1968 and built a home on White River where many happy memories were made. After Genevieve's passing in 1999, Jack continued living his dream at the river with the help of many friends and caregivers. He worked in the personnel department at Sealed Power from 1946 to 1962. In 1962, he became a stock broker at Wm. C. Roney Co. in Grand Rapids and soon started the Muskegon branch office. He was branch manager and senior partner in the firm (which later became Raymond James Financial, Inc.) until his reluctant retirement in 2006 at the age of 85. Survivors include his children: Penny, Kathy and Paul (Beth) Price, grandchildren: Jesse (Daleen) Luehring, Jason Luehring, Caroline, Zoie and Max Price, great grandchildren: Jude and Jenevieve Luehring, in-laws- Paul (Joan) Vallier and RoseMarie Mikesell, many nephews and nieces and special friend, Chris Donley. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, sister (Bernice Martin) and loving companion, Kay Houlihan. Jack was active in many organizations including the Muskegon Exchange Club, the Elks, the Eagles, the finance council at St. James and St John's Claybanks Churches, Ducks Unlimited, Trout Unlimited, and Ruffed Grouse society. THE MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL will take place 11:00 AM Monday, February 1, 2016 at St. James Catholic Church (5179 Dowling St., Montague, MI 49437) with the Rev. Fr. Don Tufts presiding. Burial will take place in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Muskegon. VISITATION with the family will be from 1-4 PM Sunday, January 31, 2016 at The Lee Chapel, 6291 S. Harvey St., (231) 798-1100. Memorial gifts may be made in Jack's name to Harbor Hospice, Muskegon Catholic Education Foundation, or a charity of your choice. Share memories with the family at their On-line Guest Book at www.sytsemafh.com The family expresses a special thank-you to the many excellent caregivers that he relied on, especially Kim Lange, and to the staff at Harbor Hospice for their care during his final days. We may not have him with us any longer, but heaven just welcomed a great sportsman and a gentleman.
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