Jack "John" Price's Obituary
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, Jack Price, who passed away peacefully in his sleep on July 8, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. He was 93 years old.
John (Jack) Allen Price was born to Howard & Thelma Price in Tacoma Washington on February 10, 1932. Howard came from Minnesota looking for work, Thelma was a Steilacoom Indian. Howard & Thelma met working at the lumber mill in Steilacoom. Howard’s career took him to Pierce County where he supervised the public works road crew based on Ponders Corner. Hard work and education were impressed on both Jack & his younger brother Don. Often when Howard was called out after hours for a situation, Jack and Don tagged along. Both young men were summer workers for the county working road crews.
Jack was raised in Steilacoom in the rustic family home owned by generations of Thelma’s family. Plumbing was outdoors and Jack’s slept on an outdoor porch, however, he was allowed to sleep inside during winter.
Educated at the Pioneer School in Steilacoom and was a graduate of Clover Park High School in 1950. Jack attended the University of Puget Sound where he graduated with a degree in Education in 1955 and more importantly, met the love of his life.
Jack met Marilyn in 1953 during her freshman year. Jack was a member of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity and Marilyn a Phi Beta Phi. Jack worked as the nighttime janitor at Nalley Valley throughout his college career at UPS to pay for his education and to purchase an engagement ring for Marilyn. Jack proposed to Marilyn in the spring of 1955 and they married at Puyallup Methodist Church on July 23, 1955.
After marriage, the young couple rented a couple of houses in Lakewood and Steilacoom before purchasing their first home on Maple Avenue for $10,000. Eventually, they had a house built on Lake City Blvd to accommodate their four children all born within an 8-year span. Jack & Marilyn raised their children in this home (1.25 baths for 6 people) until their move to NE Tacoma in 1999.
Jack was hired post-graduation at Clover Park High School teaching biology, driving school buses and coaching football. While working at Clover Park, Jack continued his education securing his Master’s in Education from UPS in 1960.
With his Master’s Degree in hand, Jack’s career elevated to vice principal at Hudtloff Junior High and with the construction of Lochburn Junior High, Jack took the position as principal. After several years at Lochburn (and after all 4 of Jack’s children graduated from Lakes High School) Jack became the principal at Lakes until he worked in administration at Clover Park School District until his retirement with 30 years of service to the District. During these years, Jack was an active participant with the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association.
Not one to sit around, Jack began a second career as a drug and alcohol rehabilitation counselor. Jack did this work on a part time basis well into his 80’s. Jack was also a very active member with Clover Park High School’s alumni association, Ancient Warriors.
Jack was a very hard worker, to the point of being a workaholic, however he made time every other year commencing in 1966 for vacations on Maui; in the early years with just Jack and Marilyn. We children were not included until many years later! With Marilyn retiring in 1995 and Jack’s part time counselor job, they took advantage of the flexibility and traveled extensively throughout their 60’s and 70’s. Cruising was preferred - Mediterranean, Caribbean, Mexico, Alaska, and tours in the US included Hawaii, the northeast, Washington DC, Georgia, Louisiana, and many National Parks.
Jack is survived by his devoted wife of nearly 70 years, Marilyn, his four children, Cheryl Kuchar, Gary (Pamela), Julie McCallum (David), Mardi Landry (Steve). Jack was blessed with 8 grandchildren; Sean Loftus (Kjerstine), Jamie Grey (Shane), Katie Bearden (Sean), Kelly Schulstad, Anna McCallum, Lauren Ilstad, Laura Dow (Christopher) and Anthony Kuchar, and 10 great grandchildren. In addition, Jack was uncle to Don’s children Tammi and Wade. Jack’s dear brother Don preceded him in death on March 4, 2022.
The family wishes to acknowledge the exceptional care provided by Visiting Angels, specifically Kelly and Laura, as well as the staff at Tacoma General Hospital, St Francis Hospital, GenCare LifeStyle and Heart’n Soul Hospice.
In lieu of flowers, please donate in Jack’s name to American Cancer Society of Pierce County.
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