James Henry Price was born on January 30, 1953 in “Bloody Harlan County”, Kentucky, to coal miner Virgil Alexander and his wife, Winnie Mae. Jim Henry was the youngest of seven children (Barbara, Loretta, Reggie, Ruby, Herman, and Brenda) and only five years old when Winnie died, leaving him in the care of his older sister, Loretta. He was just thirteen when Virgil died.

At age seventeen, living in Ohio, Jim left high school to join the Navy (which he could do without his sister’s permission) and was promptly sent to Viet Nam as a Gunner’s Mate. As it turned out, before he even reported for duty, his draft number came up. He served as a “door gunner” aboard helicopters, and survived to continue serving as an Aviation Support Mechanic and Instructor at NAS Whidbey Island, Washington. He married Patty Murray (White) in 1979, and his son, John Alexander was born in 1980. After fifteen and a half years in the Navy, the onset of the familial kidney disease led to a medical retirement in 1987. Divorced a couple years previously, Jim returned to Columbus, OH.

He was soon joined there by his wife-to-be, Charlene Conard. They were married on New Year’s Eve 1987. Five years later, they welcomed a daughter, Jamie Mae. It was after a visit back to Charlene’s hometown of Coupeville on Whidbey Island, that her two sisters, Nancy and Maureen Conard, persuaded the family to move back, allowing Jim to be close to his son, John as well.

Jim took a job with the Coupeville Schools maintenance department, but life-threatening medical conditions started taking center stage as he was hospitalized again and again with vascular problems. He developed a blood clotting disorder that confounded his medical team at the University of Washington Medical Center who suspected that it could be related to exposure to Agent Orange in Viet Nam. He was once again riding helicopters, but this time for emergency medical transport. He lost a leg, but received a new bionic one; he gained a disability pension, but lost kidney function. For several years running, it seemed he spent any given holiday in the hospital. Following a particularly horrendous round of medical battles, Charlene’s sisters presented him with their father’s Purple Heart, in recognition of his service and sacrifice.

When he wasn’t fighting for life and limb, Jim could usually be found with a full cup of coffee at the Country Store, or keeping things organized out at the Lions’ Club barn for the big annual sale. He defied all expectations and lived to see his daughter graduate from high school and begin her adult life. And last year, his son introduced him to his grandson and namesake, Henry James Kenneth Price. He was proud and thankful for those gifts.

On February 15, 2016, with his wife and daughter at his bedside, Jim fought the enemy for what he knew would be the last time. This time, it was his heart that gave out. But, in spite of the years of damage to his body, he was still able to gift some remaining tissue and organs.

Back in Ohio, Jim’s sister Loretta is the only surviving sibling who, along with numerous nieces and nephews (Regina, Lisa, Tammy, Wanda, Brad, and Greg) will remember Jim with love.

All arrangements are entrusted to Wallin Funeral Home & Cremation, LLC of Oak Harbor, WA.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of James Henry Price, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.