James Elmer Price

On October 19, 2015, James E. Price was called Home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Surrounded by his daughters, he left his home at the Pacifica Memory Care facility, after a long illness. Jim was born to Thomas and Frosia Price on October 11, 1926, in Evansville, Indiana. He was the 5th of 7 children. He is survived by his older brother Riley Price of Stockton, CA. The Price family moved to California when Jim was 3. Raised on a small ranch outside of Galt, Jim was instilled with a strong work ethic to help the family survive. He carried this self-discipline with him throughout his school years, especially in sports. He was an outstanding athlete at Galt High School and received a full-ride scholarship in football to College of the Pacific in Stockton, CA. There he also made his mark on the "National Undefeated Football Team of 1949. In June of 1949 he married his high school sweetheart, Melba Crosson, and took his first coaching job at San Juan High School in Sacramento. In 1956 he moved his family to Modesto, for the football coaching position at Modesto High School. There he became a true "Panther" for life. After several years of coaching, he worked his way to Dean of Boys at Modesto High. He continued his interest in construction during the summer months to supplement the family income. Finally the opportunity arrived to build his first project ; the only thing that won his heart from sports. The Leilani Garden Apartments, on Tully Road in Modesto, started the biggest change in his life. Beyond the many custom homes he built throughout the Central Valley, he went on to build residential communities such as Granada Park, Wycliffe Estates, Park Brighton Apartments, Oakmont Patio Homes, Oakbrook Apartments, Oakridge Townhomes, Hartford Place Condominiums, and Stoneybrook Apartments to name a few. He is preceded in death by his wife Melba, of 61 years. He is survived by daughters Sandi Duncan (Mike), Karen Ellis (Greg), Wanda Davis (Rick) and Lori Zambruno (Dave), 9 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren with the 12th on the way.

The family would like to thank caregivers Romi Stanciu, Nellie Farcas and Lindy White for their dedication to his well-being. Additional thanks to Pacifica Memory Care and Community Hospice, for their continued professionalism and quality care the last few months. A memorial service will be held Monday, October 26, 2015 at the Lakewood Riverside Chapel, in Hughson. In lieu of flowers the family has kindly requested donations be made to Community Hospice.