Donald Leon Price

Thursday, September 18, 2014

Donald Leon Price, 84, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2014 at Union Hospital in Terre Haute.

Don was born May 21, 1930 in Brazil to Edward A. "Dick" Price and Catherine (Bridgewater) Price.

Don graduated from Brazil High School in the class of 1948 and married his lifelong love, Dolly Mae Griffith, on July 29, 1950.

He is survived by his children, Catherine Coleman of Terre Haute, Donna Price of Brazil and Dean Price and wife Cathy of Quincy; grandchildren Seth Coleman, Louisville, Ky., Ashley Rogers and husband John, Brazil, and Nicole Swenson, Danville, Ill.; great-grandchildren Aeris Rogers and Damien Rogers; siblings Charles Price and wife JoAnn, Robert "Bob" Price and wife Delores; nephews Brian Price and Troy Price; lifetime friends Don and Phyllis Grey and Harold Haddon, all of Brazil, as well as many cousins and extended family members.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Dolly, and his parents.

Most of his adult life was spent as a dairy farmer. As a young man Don worked as a house finisher, drove a milk truck and worked as a substitute mail carrier.

Don worked to create the establishment of the Dick Johnson Volunteer Fire Department, where he served as fire chief for many years.

He raised and cared for many exotic animals over the years with a gentle hand and a kind heart. He was a proud and passionate member of the Democratic Party, the NRA and IWCS (the International Wood Collectors Society) as well as being a Civil War enthusiast.

In his retirement from farming, Don ran a portable sawmill, and was renowned for his precise and passionate work. He was an incredibly talented man, whose palpable love of the craft of woodworking is reflected in the works of art he created and the pride he took in his work.

Don was a beloved and devoted husband, father, brother, uncle and grandfather. He was a man of mettle, a true artist, and a selfless family man whose presence will be forever felt in the hearts of those whose lives he touched and in the community he helped build.

Visitation will be at French Funeral Home from 4-8 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21. Graveside services will be held at Summit Lawn Cemetery at noon Monday, Sept. 22 with Rev. Richard Piatt officiating.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association National Center, 7272 Greenville Ave., Dallas, TX 75231 in his memory.

Visit www.frenchfuneralhome.com to light a candle in his memory.