James William "Jim" Price

A funeral service celebrating the life of James William Jim Price, age 83, of Heath, will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 30, with Pastor Jenn Ballenger officiating. Friends may call from 10 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home, 179 Granville Street, Newark. Burial will follow in Maple Grove Cemetery where military honors will be observed by the Licking County Veterans Alliance.Jim was born October 31, 1932 in Parkersburg, West Virginia to the late William Henry and Gladys Julia (Stevens) Price. He passed away on Sunday, June 26, 2016 at Mount Carmel East Hospital.Jim was a 1950 graduate of Parkersburg High School and was a veteran of the United States Army. He retired after 30 years of service from Rockwell International Corp. where he had been an inspector. He also retired from the Lakewood School District after 10 years of service where he had been a bus driver.Jim enjoyed being outdoors and tending to his vegetable and flower gardens. He was a very patriotic individual and loved history and genealogy. He was known to have a great sense of humor and always had a funny story to share. He especially loved the times that he spent with his family.He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Barbara J. (Berger) Price, whom he married February 2, 1991; and by two daughters, Diane Thompson of Granville and Kathy (David) Lantz of Newark; step-children, Laura Nance of Croton, Melanie (Lee) Kuhlwein of Hanover, Brian Neighbarger and Eric (Alicia) Neighbarger, all of Utica, and Alan (Tammy) Neighbarger of Danville; seventeen grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; sister, Shirley (Ron) Gibson of Pleasantville; and nieces and nephews.In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wives, Margaret Virginia (Lawrence) Price and Iretha (Skidmore) Price; and by a son-in-law, Mike Thompson.In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Central Ohio or Nationwide Children's Hospital.Criss Wagner Hoskinson Funeral Home is honored to care for Jim and his family.