Nov. 14, 1919 – Oct. 31, 2009

John Oren Price was born Nov. 14, 1919, in Mulkeytown. He was raised on a farm with his six brothers and sisters. In 1941, he was drafted into the United States Army and served four years during World War II, mainly in the Pacific and New Guinea. The rest of his working days were spent on barges traveling the Mississippi River. My grandfather was so proud to be a veteran and was a member of the local VFW.

When I was older, my father told me stories about John. I’d had no clue that my grandfather was an alcoholic. He would sit out on a patio most days and drink until he could barely walk. My father recalls countless times when John fell down the stairs leading into the back door. His drinking came to a complete and total stop when I was born in 1981. My father said he never saw John take another drink.

My grandfather would visit me nearly every day as a child. A cookie in his shirt or overalls pocket was the first thing I went for each time. Most near and dear to me are the memories and photos I have of my grandfather taking me for walks in a red Radio Flyer wagon. He bolted a car seat into the wagon and walked me around for hours upon hours. I can barely look at those photos now as I break down with joy and sadness at the loss of my grandfather.

I was married this past October and it broke my heart that my grandfather was unable to make the trip. He had been in the nursing home for some time at this point. I promised him I would bring wedding pictures home on his 90th birthday Nov. 14 and he was thrilled.

John didn’t quite make it to 90 years. He passed away Oct. 31, 2009, just two weeks shy of his 90th birthday.

I miss my grandfather every day, but his face, voice and love will forever be in my heart.

Jamie Biby Springfield