James 'Wimpy' Price

James ‘Wimpy’ Price

James “Wimpy” Price, age 77, passed away on Sept. 21, 2019, in Bonners Ferry after a brief illness. He was born in Kellogg, Idaho, on Sept. 11, 1942, to Basil and Josephine Price. Shortly thereafter, the family moved back to their “stump ranch” east of Moyie Springs. He was raised there with his siblings, Russell, Jack, Joan, and AnnaMay.

At the age of 17 and with the blessing of his parents, he joined the Marines; he served honorably for two years. His time in the Marines created a foundation of core beliefs that he held on to throughout his life. His favorite saying was “once a Marine, always a Marine.” He was deeply patriotic, always supported the military and had a deep respect for the flag.

After leaving the Marines he went into the construction trade. Even though he was called Wimpy he was a strong, powerful young man and this type of work fit him well. He moved to Salt Lake City, working there several years before moving to Seattle. He joined the steelworkers union and worked on many of the new high rise buildings.

In 1975 he made a critical decision to change occupations and move out of the big city. He became a long haul truck driver and continued with that until his retirement in 2007. He picked North Bend, Ore., as he loved being by the ocean. More importantly this is where he met and married the love of his life, Kay Osborne. They were together for 25 years until her passing.

He always came back for visits to Bonners Ferry throughout his life, but in 2009 he decided it was time to move back home and be closer to his family. His interests included fishing, hunting, traveling and camping with his travel trailer, boating and anything related to car racing. He was a lifelong member of the NRA.

Wimpy was a friendly and generous man who was known as the life of the party. He was the type of person if he was in the room you knew it. He was also a jokester who loved to surprise people and enjoyed a good laugh. He left this world fighting all the way to the end, just like a good Marine.

James was preceded in death by his wife Kay Price, parents Basil and Josephine Price, brothers Jack and Russell Price, and niece Debbie (Spalding) Atwood. He is survived by his sisters, AnnaMay Spalding, Joan O’Brien, and many nieces and nephews and their families.

His final wishes were for no funeral service. The family will be having a private graveside ceremony at Grandview Cemetery at a later date.