Obituary of Max Price

Max Price, retired Ripley County farmer and Current River fishing guide, died at his home in Doniphan with his family by his side on Sunday morning, October 30, 2011. Mr. Price was born in Ripley County on October 9, 1926, the fourth son of Elvie and Myrtle (Eagan) Price. He is survived by his wife Bonnie (Steele) Price of Doniphan; two daughters, Susan Leddick of Bozeman, Montana, and Jan Wood of Springfield, Missouri; three brothers, Acel Price of Doniphan, Bob Price of Union, Missouri, and Skip Price of Sikeston, Missouri; twelve nieces and nephews; and thirteen grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. A son, Gary Price, preceded him in death in 1997. His first wife, Bernice (Crook) Price, died in 1978; his second wife, Murley (Burke) Price died in 2003. In addition to his own children, he loved and helped to raise five step-sons: Colton Buckhanan of Doniphan, Steve Burke and Jody Burke of Doniphan, Bruce Burke of Fort Worth, Texas, and Shawn Burke of Nixa, Missouri. Max was a familiar sight on the river for decades, one of the old-timers who had grown up on its banks north of town. He saw the transition from shear pins to jet units and was a master at navigating a jonboat. He caught fish from Florida to Alaska. He graduated from Doniphan High School in 1944, and served in the US Navy until his honorable discharge in 1948. He returned to Doniphan, married, and brought up his first family on a small farm on Little Barren Creek in Kelly Township. Eventually he had two more families, each bringing him joy and companionship at different times in his life. Over his long life he served as a board member for the Doniphan R-4 schools and road commissioner for Tucker Bay Road District. He was an active member of the Lions Club, belonged to the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), and was a member of the Methodist Church of Doniphan. He told good stories, was a great cook, and enjoyed a get-together. He was buried in his blue jeans with his last fishing rod, his favorite cap, and a boat paddle hand-carved by his son Gary. Visitation will be Tuesday morning, November 1, 2011, at 10 a.m. at Doniphan United Methodist Church. The funeral service will take place Tuesday, November 1, 2011, at 11:00 a.m. at Doniphan United Methodist Church with Brother Kent Wilfong officiating. Burial will follow in the Doniphan City Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Max Price Scholarship Fund at Southern Bank, 302 Washington Street, Doniphan, Missouri.