Jimmy Ray "Frog" Price

© The Stilwell Democrat Journal

May 21, 2008

Submitted by: Martha Real

Jimmy Ray "Frog" Price
November 26, 1944-May 11, 2008

Jimmy Ray "Frog" Price son of James and Nancy (Springwater) Price was born November 26, 1944 in Tahlequah, Oklahoma and departed this life on May 11, 2008 in Stilwell, Oklahoma, at the age of 63 years, 5 months, and 15 days.

I want to tell you a little history about Jimmy Ray Price; he was not known as Jimmy Ray Price but as "Frog". The nickname Frog was given to him by his sister Ralfa. When he was sick with the whooping cough, he sounded so much like a frog, she started calling him Frog, so he got stuck with this name. Though many a jokes were made, he was known to take it in stride and laugh.

In the 1950's the Price family moved to Kansas where his Dad Jim worked for the railroad. Frog spent his Elementary years there. His family then moved back to Stilwell where he attended High School and played "Center" on the varsity football team. He graduated in 1963.
He went on to NSU for a year then decided he wanted to become a welder.
In 1965 he married Loretta Gregory and together they had two children; Vicki and Rex.
In 1966, he was accepted to the Dallas Welding School and graduated at the top of his class. Frog was so personable and talented he was asked to become one of the instructors, he accepted and taught for several more years. He then returned to Stilwell and held various Welding Positions with his last one being for the Muskogee Plumbers and Pipefitters Union where he had to travel a lot.
Frog's work was always done with care and perfection. He was an excellent welder and carpenter, and he loved to sit on the bed of the truck and be the boss when it came to bailing hay and working cattle.
After a lengthy courtship with Jean Roberts, they married in 1993. She had two children, Shelly and Nicki and together they became one family.
Jean loved Frog for his loving and generous nature and the love he showed to all children. He liked to teach, play with, console, and tease our children and all of his nieces and nephews. He would console any child that was crying and had a way to turn their cry into a laugh. Frog had 7 grandchildren who he cherished and loved greatly with all of his heart. He enjoyed their company, laughter, chatter and tended to spoil them rotten.
Frog enjoyed many adventures in his life. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, wood working, watching western movies, spending time at his cabin with his son Rex and nephew Jeff and other friends. He also enjoyed helping his brother-in-law Morris Jones with his Hickory Ridge Barbeque events. He loved to challenge his daughter Vicki in a round of Golf. He also loved playing Penny Poker with the men. Frog was always willing to help his family, friends, and neighbors. He will always be known as funny, generous, and trustworthy, he never met a stranger.

He was preceded in death by his parents; James and Nancy Price, 1 sister; Ralfa Price and 2 brothers; Leon and Rufus Price.

He is survived by a very loving family that includes his wife; Jean Price of the home in Stilwell, OK, 4 children; Vicki Price of Muskogee, OK, Rex Price and wife Courtney, Shelly Eubanks, Nicki Petree and husband Ted all of Stilwell, OK., grandchildren; Addison, Sharae, Bode, Paxton, Rilee, Troy and Tucker.
1 brother; Dewayne Price and wife Darlene of Stilwell, OK, 5 sisters; Trenna Minton of New Braunfels, TX, Kay Jones and husband Morris, Pat Maxwell and husband Roy all of Stilwell, OK., Lee Price of Russellville, AR., Joslyn Peterson and husband Rick of Russellville, OK., a very special friend; Larry Cox who stayed and cared for Frog the last several weeks, several nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends also survive him.
All who knew Frog will never forget him. He will be dearly and truly missed by all and he leaves behind a grand legacy.

Funeral services were held, Wednesday, May 14, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. in the Roberts/Reed-Culver Funeral Chapel with Bro. Herman Jones and Bro. John Blackwood officiating.
Interment followed in the Stilwell City Cemetery under the direction of Roberts/Reed-Culver Funeral Home.