Obituary of James L. Price

James L. Price, 81, of Iowa City, died Wednesday, December 10, 2008. Private family services will be held for Jim, with burial at Memory Gardens. Online condolences may be sent for his family through the web @www.gayandciha.com. James Lester Price was born August 23, 1927, in West Virginia and grew up in Huntington, WV. He was the son of James and Estelle (Pemberton) Price. As a young man, Jim was an excellent baseball player and even signed a contract to play with the St. Louis Cardinals; however, his father felt his education was more important. After briefly serving in the army at the end of World War II, Jim did undergraduate work at Ohio State University where he met Lee (Gildersleeve) whom he later married. At Ohio State, Jim became involved in the Wesley Foundation and decided to enter the ministry. In 1950 there was a great deal of poverty and Jim wanted to make a difference so he entered Garrett Biblical Institute to become a Methodist minister. After several years and further reflection, Jim felt he could be more effective as a professor and enrolled at Columbia University in New York for his PhD in Sociology. His first full-time teaching position was at the University of Oregon. After Oregon, Jim spent two years at the University of Maryland before coming to the University of Iowa where he remained the rest of his academic life. He was a dedicated teacher, published several books and numerous articles and loved every minute of it. He received many awards for his teaching and couldn’t have been more suited to this rich intellectual and cultural life. Jim continued to serve as an advisor throughout his life, both professionally and personally. Jim was an avid sports enthusiast, lover of books, and world traveler. He was ahead of his time regarding equality and was a dedicated, loving father and husband. He was a man of honor and lived up to his favorite poem “If” by Rudyard Kipling. Jim’s family includes his wife, Lee Price of Iowa City, IA; son, James W. Price of Iowa City, IA.; daughter and son-in-law, Wanda and Shawn Ashby of Hopedale, MA; granddaughter, Brenna E. Ashby; grandson, Christopher James Ashby; brother, Roy (Bus) Price of Cumming, GA; brother, William Price of Ft. Myers, FL and many loving nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Charles Price; sister, Joann Price-Moon; and sister, Joyce Price. Special thanks to Iowa City Hospice for their care and compassion during his illness. Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service is caring for Jim’s family and arrangements.