Obituary for Ervin Price

Ervin Price, Jr. passed away peacefully while surrounded by supportive family and friends on Saturday, August 22, 2015 in Dallas, TX.

Affectionately known as “Uncle,” he was born January 28, 1931 in Pawnee, OK and was the oldest son and second of ten surviving children of Ervin Price, Sr. and Hattie Jennings (Freow) Price.

Baptized at an early age at Antioch Baptist Church in Pawnee, OK, he was a faithful servant of the Lord, uniting with St. John Baptist Church in Ponca City, OK when his father moved the family there in 1954.

A graduating member of the Pawnee, OK Lincoln High School class of 1950, Price worked on the family farm until he was inducted into the U. S. Army in July 1952.

Price served with the 35th Infantry during the Korean War and in 1954, he came home and joined the U. S. Army Reserves until he retired as a Tech. Sergeant. His military honors include the Korean Service Medal, two Bronze Service Stars, United Nation Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and a Good Conduct Medal.

In 1960, he became a Ponca City employee, first as a sanitation worker and then in 1967, he became the first Black fireman with the Ponca City Fire Department. In 1987, after having his leg amputated for health reasons, he retired from the Fire Department as a Captain and went to work at the Ponca City Police Department where he supervised prisoners on janitorial duty. In December 1994, he received the Safe Employee of the Month award.

He also had his own business where he serviced fire extinguishers for Ponca City businesses for several years. After retiring, Price could often be found in his tool shed, mowing and tending to his yard, or sitting on his porch visiting with his neighbors.

Married and widowed, Price has six daughters, one son, and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Price is survived by his loving sister, Bessie Washington of Ponca City, his “favorite niece,” Cassandra Washington of Dallas, TX, both dedicated caregivers along with several friends who loved and cared for him in Dallas, TX. They will remember him for his cheerful smile and the little dance he did when he was happy.

He is also survived by two other siblings, Dorothy McFarlin of Tulsa, OK and Willie Price, of Sachse, TX; seven children: Kathy Crawford of Hominy, OK, Wanda Price of Bristow, OK, Ethylene Roland of Houston, TX, Gloria Westbrook, Georgie LaVerne Mathis, and Patrisha Davis of Ponca City, OK, Trahern Price of Oklahoma City, OK; and a host of other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings: Esther Ruth Hill, Ralph Price, William Price, Louise Duncan, Robert Price, and Connie Price.

A graveside service for Ervin will be Saturday, August 29, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. at Resthaven Memorial Park. He will be available for viewing until 8:00 p.m. on Friday, August 28, 2015 at Trout Funeral Home & Crematory. Family will be present from 6-7 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made in Ervin’s honor to the Alzheimer’s Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011.

Source: Trout Funeral Home