Obituary of Donald Price

Donald Frederic Price was born 30 December, 1938 in Salem, Oregon. His parents were Anson E.(Pete) Price and Dorothy Lorene Barnhart. He grew up in the Pedee/Kings Valley area, attending elementary school at Pedee and high school in Dallas, Oregon graduating in 1957. He attended the University of Oregon graduating with a Bachelors degree in Interior Design. He also served in the Oregon National Guard where he was a tank operator. He moved to Portland, Oregon where he spent most of his professional life working for Boise Cascade and Directors Interiors before starting his own business. While in Portland he was very involved in the Interior Design community, belonging to professional organizations while continuing in his profession. Donald enjoyed gardening, reading and watching musicals and the History Channel. He was especially interested in English history and was pleased to trace his genealogy back to England. For a number of years he belonged to a group whose members traced their ancestry to the early settlers of the Kings Valley area of Oregon. Many of these settlers came by wagon train. Donald was a collector – of many things. His home was filled to capacity, and then some, by the things he treasured. He was especially fond of the Christmas holiday and had a huge collection of glass ornaments, often changing the theme from year to year. He was also fond of Asian décor which dominated his design, and antique furniture. He later moved to Falls City where he lived with his mother and step-father, John F. McGee and worked in the Salem area for several years. After his mother's death he continued to live with his step-father as a care giver and general support until Mr. McGee's death. Donald then resumed living in his own apartment in the Salem/Keizer area for several years. At about this time his health began to deteriorate and over the next 10-12 years he suffered many health challenges, ultimately losing his right leg and became wheel-chair bound. Even with these health challenges he continued for about two years living on his own. After additional health problems he moved to Portland and lived at the Oddfellows Assisting Living community. It was from there he passed on March 18, 2023. Donald is survived by two sisters and two brothers: LaVerne Price Bennett of Pedee, Oregon, Kathleen McGee Zehner of Terrebonne, Oregon, Larkin Price, Portland, Oregon and John D McGee of Philomath, Oregon. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews and grand nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his father Anson E. Price and step-mother Virginia Burbank Price, his mother Dorothy Barnhart McGee and his step-father John F. McGee. His ashes will be placed at the Womer Cemetery, Pedee, Oregon. No public service is planned at this time.