Olen Clifton Price (Granddad), 92, of Barling, Arkansas, passed away on Friday, May 22, 2020, in Fort Smith, Arkansas. He was born July 28, 1927, in Branch, Arkansas to the late Mathie and Beatrice Burton Price.
Olen grew up in Branch working on the family dairy farm with his dad and brothers from the time he was a young boy. He graduated from Branch High School in 1945, then enlisted in the US Navy, where he served from August 1945 and was honorably discharged in 1946. He married Marolyn Pettigrew on December 21, 1951, at First Baptist Church in Branch, Arkansas.
He was a salesman at Grace Paper Company, then later worked as a manager at Arkansas Paper Company; after that, he was the co-owner of Jamar Paper Company. He was a member of Spradling Baptist Church for 64 years, serving as the church treasurer for 47 years, and a deacon for many years. His passion was running Price Angus Farm as a breeder and cattle rancher. He served as President of the Sebastian County Angus Association, and also served as a Superintendent for the Junior Angus Association at the Arkansas-Oklahoma State Fair for several years. He was a devoted Hug Chevrolet truck owner and a regular at Sula Mae’s Restaurant at lunch in Branch (he especially loved the coconut cream pie). Our Granddad loved Razorback sports and served as President of the Fort Smith Quarterback Club for many years.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Mathie and Beatrice; his brothers, Elmo Price (and wife, Ruby) and Ray Price (and wife, Billie).
He is survived by his wife, Marolyn Price of Barling, Arkansas; his children: Teresa (and husband, Dan) Hobbs of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; Vicki (and husband, Kirk) Martin of Fort Smith, Arkansas; Kendall (and wife, Kathy) Price of Hackett, Arkansas; grandchildren: Stephanie (and husband, Aaron) Hamilton of Royse City, Texas; Lindsey (and husband, Patrick) Pulley of Olympia, Washington; Eric (and wife, Leah) Martin of Bentonville, Arkansas; Elise Martin of Fayetteville, Arkansas; Matthew Price of Fort Smith, Arkansas; Michelle Price of Hackett, Arkansas; great-granchildren: Ayan, Kennedy, Will, Lyla, Campbell, Mack, Knox, McCall, Mia, Zoey, and Hoosier.
Public viewing will be 9 AM – 5 PM Monday, May 25, 2020 at Edwards Funeral Home. Funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday, May 26, 2020, at Spradling Baptist Church, 3515 N. 50th Street, Fort Smith, Arkansas, with the Rev. Don Bradford officiating. Private Interment will be at the Fort Smith National Cemetery under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Eric Martin, Matthew Price, Aaron Hamilton, Ayan Hamilton, Cory Vest, and Shawn Price. Honorary pallbearers will be the deacons of Spradling Baptist Church. Honorary Pallbearers will be Patrick Pulley and the deacons of Spradling Baptist Church.
Memorials can be made to Spradling Baptist Church in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Online condolences may be sent to www.edwardsfuneralhome.com
