Joseph Preston Price, Jr.

Joseph Preston Price Jr., 85, 220 North Gilmer Park, Johnson City, TN, died Tuesday, August 1, 2006. He was the son of the late Joe 'Lumber' Price and Wilma Bell Price. Mr. Price was a 1st Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II, serving as a P-38 Lightning pilot with the 475th Fighter Group in the South Pacific. He had the distinction of being the first pilot chosen to fly wingman for Charles A. Lindbergh, who spent time with the 475th helping pilots extend the range of their fighters. Mr. Price attended Milligan College and ETSU and later owned and operated NAPA Auto Parts stores in the Johnson City area for nearly thirty years. In 1994 he retired to the golf course. He also enjoyed having more time being a UT 'Big Orange' fan. He was a member and former Deacon of the First Presbyterian Church of Johnson City as well as a charter member of the Johnson City Jaycees. In his youth, Mr. Price attained the rank of Eagle Scout. In addition to his parents, Mr. Price was preceded in death by his brother, William 'Buddy' Price; and a special grandmother, Joanne Norris. Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Dorothy Grant Price; one son, Joseph Preston Price III and wife, Elizabeth, of Johnson City; two daughters, Betsy Price Burleson and husband, Skip, of Johnson City, Judith Anne Price and Rick Fehr, of Johnson City; seven grandchildren, Carrie, Kelly and Grant Kerley, Trey, Preston and Jay Burleson, Emma Price; and several nieces and nephews. Special family friends include Eva Stanley Harris and Dennis B. Kerley. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 P.M. on Friday, August 4, 2006, at Morris-Baker Funeral Home. A gravesite service will be held on Saturday, August 5, 2006, at 11:00 A.M. at Monte Vista Cemetery. Family and friends are asked to meet at Morris-Baker by 10:40 AM Saturday to go in procession to the cemetery for those services. For those who wish, memorials may be made to The Gideons International, Post Office Box 140800, Nashville, TN 37214-0800.