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 BIOGRAPHY: Larry was born on Oct. 20, 1950 in Pampa and was a 1969 graduate of Pampa High School. He owned and operated High Plains Printing for several years before going to work for National Oilwell where he had been employed for the past 3 years. He was a member of the Bible Church of Pampa, and he was a good friend to many people. Larry was preceded in death by his father, R. L. Price, by his mother, Aldine Lawrence, and by a brother, David Price, Sr.
SURVIVORS: 1 son: Steven Price and wife Heather of Amarillo; 1 daughter: Charity Knight of Vernon; 1 brother: Gary Price and wife Carmen of Rio Rancho, New Mexico; 1 sister: Nelda Clements and husband Bailey of Carson City, Nevada; 12 grandchildren; 3 nephews: Davey Price, Jr. and wife Ann and Michael Price and wife Si, all of Pampa and Shawn Price of Lake Tahoe, NV; several great nieces and great nephews.
MEMORIALS: Bible Church of Pampa, 300 W. Browning, Pampa, TX 79065 or Odyssey Healthcare, 6900 I-40 West, Suite 150, Amarillo, TX 79106.
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Buzzy Green
Larry was one of my down the street neighbors, and I don't remember not knowing him.
He was always one of the most cheerful people I knew. We started band together at Baker - he started on clarinet and I started on nothing. (We could not afford a horn and had to wait until my Aunt Mary dug her old cornet out of storage so I could use it.)
Larry later became a utility percussionist, and I specifically remember him as a monster bass drum spinner in the 1968 marching season (LA and NYC included). His size and strength were an asset in that assignment, and I was amazed that he could do that and still play the drum in perfect rhythm.
Larry was always one of the stars of our sand lot football games in front of the high school. For a big guy, he could run really fast, and he was hard for us to tackle. He ran over most of us at one time or another. (Though I think that I successfully avoided ever having to attempt that tackle.) And I don't think he had the physical ability to recognize pain - or that is the way it seemed at the time. In those times when he would go down in a heap with half of us on top of him, he would always get up smiling with a kind of dare on his face that caused us to dread the next play even more.
In the last few years of his life, I looked him up a couple of times when I was in town. Though things had not gone particularly well for him and he was not physically well, he was still as cheerful as anyone you could imagine.
I can't imagine anyone not really liking Larry Price. I loved the guy like a brother.
Gayle Miller (Wheat)
Larry Price is the reason that I fell in love with Dewey Wheat! Larry and my friend, Jan Johnson, talked me into going to the band banquet on May 11, 1967, with Dewey and the rest is history! :) I always told Larry that I blamed him for the way my life played out! Actually, I owe Larry a great deal of gratitude for pushing me towards the best thing in my life, my soul mate, my husband of 42 and a half years now!
I miss Larry. He was such a great guy. Always cheerful and always helpful. He didn't have an easy life and left us way too soon. I am honored and grateful that God allowed Larry and I to cross paths on this earthly journey. And I am forever grateful to Larry and Jan for steering me in the right direction.
The Pride of Pampa was surely blessed with such a great bass drummer as Larry. He could spin that drum in marching band and never missed a beat! He was the one that kept us on beat out there on the field and his can do attitude was always an inspitation to the rest of us.
God bless you Larry. May you rest in peace. We miss you!!!
Dewey Wheat
Larry was a dear friend and more than he knew. As Gayle so amptly put it, he was the reason she decided to start dating me. He promised her that I would be a perfect gentleman and I was because he also left an unsaid threat with me because he was dating - and very much in love with - Gayle's best friend Jan Johnson. He told me to not "screw this up!" And I didn't on that May 11th of 1967 and haven't for almost 43 years. I had the opportunity to demonstrate my sincere appreciation for his friendship and what he did for me many years ago when I was inducted to the PHS Hall fo Fame in OCtover 2002. Larry came to the Chamber of Commerce luncheon held in Miss Eloise Lane and my honor. I had not seen him in many years and he did not look well then. It was an emional time for the both of us as we had tears in our eyes. I will always love him and cherish his memory. I never see a bass drummer that I do not think of him nor let any May 11th pass without thinking of his "behind the scenes" work for me with the love of my life. Bless you Larry - always!
Your dear friend - Dewey
Patricia Cole (Duggins)
I remember Larry in the most unusual way....I think. He had the names of two of my brothers....Larry and Price. We laughed about this many times...Larry and I. We were both in a spelling bee contest in 7th grade....I threw the contest to him and the teacher knew it. I wanted Larry to win because he wanted it so badly. No regrets Larry... you sweet boy/man.