Emelie Jo Price

In Memory of Emelie Jo Price

Emelie Jo Price was born on July 3, 1939 in Everett, WA.  She passed away October 12, 2022 at the age of 83. She lived a life of selfless service to others, most especially to her family, for whom she cared deeply.  Emelie is survived by her children Dana Everett [Brent] and Susan Parks [Ricky] both of Norman, OK, Gwyneth Kenner [David] of Sandy, UT, Megyn Price [Edward Cotner] of Santa Barbara, CA, and Joseph D. Price [Windy] of Idaho Falls, ID and by her step children, Susan Lee [Myron] of Herriman, UT and Jennifer McCole of American Fork, UT, as well as by her brother Chuck [Chris] of Peoria, AZ and her sister Debbie [Mike] of Snohomish, WA. Additionally, she is survived by her beloved grandchildren: Holly & Chelsea; Amanda & Sadie; Joshua & Morgan; Grace; Andrew, Isaac, Aaron, & Eli; Rachel, Kathryn, Arthur, Nathan, & Elizabeth; David, Danny, Matt, Katie, & Joe; and her delightful great grandchildren: Isabelle, Calvin & Quinn Emelie; Aidan; Miles & Ella; Ethan, Chloe, Spencer, Sam, Grace Marie & Charlie; Madeline, Hannah & Charlotte; Benjamin, Parker, Jacob & Andrew; Lexi, Ava, Harrison & Truman; Sarah, Katelyn, Michael, Lucy, Amelia & Molly; Lisi & Penny; Lily, Lewis & Will; Emery & Tris; and Millie & Hattie; along with many beloved nieces and nephews.

Emelie grew up amidst the trials and challenges of World War II and the post-war years. With her mother working full time, Emelie took on the duties of caring for her younger siblings and the home, developing a strong work ethic that typified her approach to any demand of life from that point forward. She enjoyed and excelled in school, graduating high school at 16 years old and going on to spend many years working as a gifted secretary to help make ends meet.

Emelie ultimately met Thomas D. Price (Tom) when he interviewed and, impressed by her talent and wit, hired her as his own secretary.  It didn’t take long to know they were crazy about each other. They often shared the story of how Tom asked Emelie to marry him and when she said yes he immediately had to fire her as his secretary due to company policy.  Emelie married Tom on April 1, 1966 merging their lives together in Seattle, Washington, moving to Anchorage, Alaska for 2 years and then back to Seattle and finally to Norman, Oklahoma in 1976.  She and Tom were passionate about each other, their family and creating memories that will last generations.  Their house was a favorite gathering place where their kids (and all their chums), extended family and many beloved friends wanted to be.  It was known for competitive game playing, loads of laughter, great meals, lengthy discussions, solving problems and celebrating life’s accomplishments.  Emelie was very proud of her children and always their biggest advocate.  She loved with all her heart.

Emelie was blessed with a generous nature, readily giving of herself and her resources when opportunity presented itself. She frequently expressed her desire to win the lottery, but when questioned about how she would spend the jackpot, Emelie proceeded to list people she knew and loved whose burdens she would lighten with her winnings. Though she never did win the lottery, that didn’t stop her from giving in a variety of ways including reading for the blind, tending both the young and the elderly, baking bread for neighbors, teachers, plumbers, etc., raising awareness for Downs Syndrome and Alzheimer’s, and lending a compassionate ear to any who needed a shoulder to cry on.

After the death of her father Bud, Emelie brought her mother Maxine (who had dementia) and her little brother Bill (who had Downs Syndrome) to live with her and Tom in 1989.  She provided her home, care, and love to them both for over a decade, even after the sudden and unexpected death of her beloved husband in 1997 and her own heart attack in 2006.  Emelie always put others needs ahead of herself.  She spent her life caring for others, creating a welcoming home, and spreading kindness and laughter to all. She had the gift of making anyone and everyone feel welcome and comfortable in her home.

Emelie was an intelligent woman, a loving wife, and a dedicated mother, grandmother, sister, aunty, daughter, and friend. She was smart, kind, and oh so funny, and will be remembered by all those whose lives she touched. She is preceded in death by her husband and love of her life, Tom Price Sr, her parents Maxine & Bud Hord, Her brother Bill, her stepson Tom Price Jr, and her grand babies Jeremy Price and Benjamin Lee. Emelie will be interred beside Tom at the Sunset Cemetery and a celebration of her life will be held in early summer 2023 in Norman.