Norman LaVar Price (Lebanon)'s Obituary
Norman LaVar Price, son of Hyrum LaVar and LaVona Jones Price, was born October 19, 1931, in Tucson, Arizona. He departed this life Friday, June 22, 2018, in his home, in Lebanon, Missouri, at the age of eighty-six years, eight months, and three days.
On August 28, 1956, he was united in marriage to Loyce Francine Johnson, and to this union four daughters and two sons were born.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Lan Price; and a granddaughter, Amber Lynn Neher.
Norman is survived by his loving wife of sixty-one years, Loyce, of the home; a son, West Price, of Draper, Utah; four daughters, Melissa Jackson, and her husband, Ira, of South Jordan, Utah, Mindi Russell, and her husband, Tommy, of Lebanon, Missouri, Loretta Aubrey, of Midvale, Utah, and Alicia Raymond, and her husband, Travis, of White, Georgia; twenty-one grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren; two brothers, John Hawkins, and his wife, Beth, and David Hawkins, and his wife, Sandy, all of Kirtland, New Mexico; two sisters, LaVana Parke, and Louise Jorgensen, and her husband, Curtis, of Thatcher, Arizona; a number of nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and friends.
He was born and raised in Tucson, Arizona and graduated from Tucson Senior High School. He was asked by his church (Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) to do a two year mission and he served in the western part of Canada. He entered the military as a young man, and served his country faithfully in the United States Army from 1953 until 1955, during the Korean War. He then attended Brigham Young University where he met and soon married Loyce. They moved to California where Norman found a job and continued his studies at American River Junior College until he earned his Associates Degree. He received his bachelor’s degree at Sacramento State University and later received his master’s degree from the University of Arizona. He taught elementary school for fifteen years, and then bought a trading post in Safford in the southeast corner of Arizona where he bought, sold and traded. He had a lot of Indian pawn jewelry, Indian pottery, rocks, minerals collectibles and a little bit of everything. He purchased some land in Missouri close to Lebanon, and after a few years, he and Loyce decided to move here and make their home. Norman taught at Joel E. Barber School for one year and then worked at Wal Mart for six years.
Norman was a longtime, active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints and had served as Bishop and on the High Council for eleven years. He held other callings in the church, but teaching was a passion.
He liked wrestling and had done some under the name of “Spider Price”. He also enjoyed riding his bicycle, working in his garden, and speaking to people. His family was always at the center of his life and he loved them dearly.
Norman was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate his life and know that he will be fondly remembered as a loving family man, a dedicated teacher, and a wonderful Christian man.
Memorial contributions to L-Life Food Bank or Latter Day Saints Missionary Fund, may be left at the funeral home or at the church on the day of the service.
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