A Celebration of Life service for SFC (Retired) James R. "JP" Price, Sr. will be at 12:15 p.m. Thursday, August 29, 2024 in the Becker-Rabon Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Sam Buzzard of Central Baptist Church, Central High, Oklahoma officiating.

Burial, with full military honors, will follow in Fort Sill National Cemetery, Elgin, Oklahoma.

The service may be viewed by following the livestream link at www.beckerfuneral.com or by visiting the Becker-Rabon Funeral Home Facebook page.

The family will greet friends from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

SFC (Retired) James R. "JP" Price, Sr. was born December 27, 1943 in Downingtown, Pennsylvania.  He was the son of the late Eleanora (Guy) Price and James W. Price.  He passed away Thursday, August 22, 2024 at the age of 80 in Lawton, Oklahoma. James had many nicknames, such as Jim, "JimBob", JR, and later in life JP.

After graduating from Downingtown High School in 1963, Jim enlisted in the U.S. Army, where he served with distinction for 23 years, retiring in 1985. His military career included three years in Germany and two separate tours in Vietnam. During his first tour, he served with the 9th Infantry Division, and in his second, he was with the 101st Airborne Division. His bravery earned him two Bronze Stars with valor. Throughout his service, Jim was stationed at various posts, including Fort Meade, Maryland; Fort Dix, New Jersey; Fort Riley, Kansas; Korea; and Fort Sill, Oklahoma. SFC Price received numerous medals, badges, and awards during his time in the military.

After retiring from the Army, Jim pursued his education, earning an associate's degree from Cameron University. He then embarked on a second career, working as a mail carrier for the United States Postal Service in Lawton, Oklahoma, where he served for 20 years before retiring in 2007.

Growing up in Downingtown, Pennsylvania, Jim had a love for sports. He was the star quarterback for Downingtown High School and continued to enjoy athletics throughout his life. For nearly 30 years, Jim was an avid tennis player. When his knees could no longer keep up with tennis, he turned to golf, which became his lifelong passion. A proud member of the Fort Sill Golf Club, Jim won numerous golf awards and even achieved four hole-in-ones. However, it was the friendships he made on the course that he treasured the most.

Jim married his high school sweetheart, Pat, in 1963. As an interracial couple in the early 60s, they faced challenges, but their love endured. They shared nearly 61 years of marriage filled with sports, travels, and countless happy moments. Spending time with his children and grandchildren was the highlight of Jim's life.

Jim was a proud member of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), the American Legion, and a lifetime member of the Vietnam Veterans Organization.

Jim is survived by his biggest fan and loving wife Pat, Lawton, Oklahoma; best friends, Thomas Shorter and his wife Vera of Huntsville, Alabama; son, James Price, Jr. and wife Alishia of Lawton; daughter, Melissa Mayer and husband James of Oklahoma City, he was PopPop to four grandchildren: Chelsea Mellin and husband Zach of Duncan, Oklahoma; Halie Velasquez and husband Austen of Cottageville, South Carolina: Starlette Mayer of Oklahoma City; Skyler Mayer of Oklahoma City; and four great-grandchildren; Aubrie and Zoie Mellin, Frankie and Arthur Velasquez, two surviving brothers and their spouses: Thomas C. Price and wife Anita of San Antonio, Texas and Norman E. Raisin and wife Pam of Elkins Park, Pennsylvania; two surviving sisters, Ruth E. Jenkins and Paula M. Dredden of Bensalem, Pennsylvania.

Jim was preceded in death by his mother, Eleanora M. Price, father, James W. Price and stepfather, Norman Raisin, sisters, Elizabeth (Pinky) Craig, Patty Price, Mary Ellen Asparagus and brothers James W. Price, Lloyd Melvin (Tony) Price, and George H. Price.