Alan Barton Price

Born: July 3, 1949, Methodist Hospital, St. Joseph, MO

Died: April, 23. 2018

To: James Michael "Mike" and Elna J. (Olson) Price

Marriage: Paula Ann Bonham, January 20, 1973

Additional Survivors: Son, Andrew B. Price (Cindy) Granddaughters Jordin Michelle Price, Holly Mae Price, and Rylee Jay Price of Excelsior Springs, MO;   Mary Price-Sites (Mark), Crawford, CO;   Price Cousins,  Two brothers-in-law and their spouses of Liberty and Holt respectively.  A sister-in-law in Harlingen, TX,  and a host of nieces and nephews-in-law.  He was preceded in death by his parents, one very special Aunt Clara Murphy, and one brother-in-law.

Alan was the first born child of proud parents, James Michael and Elna J. Price, Albany, MO.

Alan attended all elementary and high school at Albany R-III. He and Paula graduated in the Class of 1967.

On Easter Sunday 1962 Alan professed his belief in God publicly by joining the First Presbyterian Church, Albany, MO, through baptism. He later transferred this membership to the First Christian Church, Savannah, MO.

Alan's post high school graduation included two years of Junior College at Wentworth Military Academy in historic Lexington, MO, where  he lettered in soccer and completed an Associates of Arts Degree.  He then transferred to NW Missouri State University and completed a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration, Class of 1972. In 1984 Alan completed the educational and on the job training requirements for to become an Electrical Lineman at United Electric Cooperative in Savannah, MO.

On January 20, 1973, Alan was united in marriage with Paula Ann Bonham in the First Presbyterian Church of Albany.  To this union one son, Andrew Bonham Price, was born May 20, 1976.  Andrew's birth was one of Alan's most cherished days of life, the second being the births of his granddaughters.

Alan served proudly in the Missouri National Guard Unit A Battery, 129th Field Artillery Company, Albany, MO for nine years.  He received an Honorable discharge as Chief of Section #3 Gun.

Alan worked summers and weekends during college for Mike's Heating and Cooling, Gentry County Memorial Hospital, and A. B. Price Clothing Company, Inc., all of Albany.

Following graduation from NWMSU he joined the family business of A. B. Price Clothing Company, Inc.   The business was established in 1900 by Alan's Grandfather A. B. Price and carried through the years by his Father, Mike Price.   Also, following college Alan worked as a paramedic with Gentry County Memorial Hospital.

In 1980, following a fire on the square of Albany, the family business was sold. Alan secured employment with United Electric Cooperative, Inc. as an apprentice Lineman and moved his family to Savannah, MO.  His employment spanned the following 30 years.

Alan voluntarily served on the Albany Park Board. He worked extensively with Troop 102, Boy Scouts of America both locally in Albany and on the Otoe District Committee.   Following this family's move to Savannah Alan volunteered tirelessly to establish the first C.O.P.E. Course at Camp Geiger, Boy Scouts of America, near St. Joseph and worked with Troup 60 in Savannah.  With Troop 60 he served as Assistant Pack Master, Webelos Den Leader, and Trek Coordinator for two BSA Troop 60 trips to Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico .   He was a proud Eagle Scout of Troop 102, Albany, MO, and a second proud moment for him was the day his son, Andrew, was awarded the rank of Eagle Scout.

Alan was tapped into Camp Geiger's Tribe of Mic-O-Say at the age of 13 (1962) with Troop 102, Albany. He advanced to Keeper of the Sacred Bundle.  His Mic-O-Say name is Jumping Spark.  His son, Andrew, was also tapped into the Camp Geiger Tribe of Mic-O-Say, with Troop 60, Savannah.

Another proud day was when Cindy Lewis Price and Andrew were joined in marriage, June 1, 2002, in the First Christian Church, Savannah, MO.   And, an even prouder day was when Jordin Michelle Price was born May 16, 2008 followed by twin daughters Holly Mae and Rylee Jay born July 2, 2014.  Being a Grandfather to "the girls" was his one big goal in life.  He adored their spirit, their humor, and thought they were the smartest and cutest little girls ever.

Alan's hobbies were woodworking furniture and home improvements for their late 1800s home in Savannah. Hunting Pheasant with his buddies Andrew, Jim, Mervin, Ted, and Uncle Harold and Frank (deceased).    Time with family included bleacher time at any ballgame in which Andrew played, church, and Sunday dinner at The Ferris Wheel.  He enjoyed taking Andrew to Worlds of Fun and riding the roller coasters with him.  In fact, one birthday he suggested we kidnap Andrew from school and surprise him with a day at Worlds of Fun.  Thus, we did!

The Kansas City CHIEFS got his attention and he ended up with season tickets. So, he and Paula and friends enjoyed games at Arrowhead.  In 2002 Alan and Paula found Branson as one of their favorite places to "hang out".  They made several trips alone and while entertaining friends and family.  He would laugh about the trip with Roger and Janet Russell to Wisconsin and to Top of the Rock.   They attended Roger Wehrli's induction into the NFL Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.  And, made several trips through Wichita, KS bound for Albuquerque, NM and the International Balloon Fiesta.   It was their dream to travel during retirement but, as it happens, Alan's cancer and resulting effects kept them from doing all they dreamed.

On September 6, 2008, Alan was diagnosed with Chronic Lymph Acidic Lymphoma (Leukemia). Following a year of chemo treatments at Heartland Cancer Center, St. Joseph, MO, he was accepted as a Stem Cell Transplant Candidate at Kansas University Medical Center, Kansas City, KS.  His sister, Mary, became his donor and the transplant was deemed a success in April 2010.

Alan loved his Grandpa Alan's Wellness Team . . . like family he never had.   They stood by him through his illness helping in Kansas City with appointments and help in Savannah keeping our home safe during our absences for the cancer treatments and resulting Graft vs Host Disease, Guillian Barre', and numerous infections and surgeries.  After 8 years, the cancer returned to his body in November 2017.  He fought a gallant fight against all odds, never really gave up, and finally asked permission of his family to stop all treatment because he was tired and nothing was working in his favor.  We prefer his legacy not be cancer!

We, as a family, will never forget the day Alan could tell Andrew how proud he was of him graduating from Park University with a B.S. in Education. From his hospital bed in KU Medical, he told Andrew he was proud of him graduating and graduating Cum Laude' made him even more proud.  The five of us celebrated that graduation on April 19th at Em-Chama's.

While Alan may have felt cheated out of being the Dad and/or Grandfather he wanted to be in retirement years. He wanted to go to World's of Fun with them and ride the highest roller coaster or those spinning rides Andrew couldn't ride because they make him sick.  And, as all grandparents he wanted to be present in their lives a long time in body and soul and not as a memory.  He accomplished Worlds of Fun and Branson/Silver Dollar City and both were happy times for him.

Alan is already missed and will continue to be missed through our lifetimes. God rest his soul.  He fought a gallant almost 10 year battle with cancer, and the effects of cancer treatments . Unfortunately, during that time several of his friends and family were taken during their own fights.  One thing that cancer never took from him was his willingness to fight for every last second.