Joseph Oscar Price, Jr.

PRICE, Joseph Oscar, Jr. Age 83 of Nashville, TN. Born August 30, 1933, retired owner of Price Bass Welding Supply Company, died July 25, 2017. Services will be held on Monday, July 31, 2017 at 11:00 A.M. at Belle Meade United Methodist Church. A private burial will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Belle Meade United Methodist Church on Sunday, July 30, 2017 from 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. with a masonic service at 7:00 P.M. One hour prior to the service on Monday. Price was preceded in death by his mother, Myrtle Mae Lindsey Price; father, Joseph Oscar Price, Sr. and son, Joseph Oscar Price, III; all of Nashville. Price was born in Davidson County where he made his home until his death. He was a disciple of Jesus Christ and a member of Belle Meade United Methodist Church and a former member of Belmont United Methodist Church for over 70 years, where he chaired several boards & committees. Price also served on the Board of Directors for Duncan Prep at Brentwood Academy and was instrumental in the funding of the current Duncan Bell Tower, Marvin Duncan Portrait and a team member developing the Duncan Library at Brentwood Academy. He was a member of the Nashville City Cemetery Preservation Group, a member of the Nashville Exchange Club, former member of the American Welding Society and served as Nashville Section Chairman in 1970 and Regional Chairman of the National Welding Supply Association in 1974 & 1977. Price served on the Union Carbide Corporation Linde Division Nations Distribution Advisory Council in 1981 & 1982. Price graduated from Duncan Preparatory School in 1950 and was a three-year letterman on the football and baseball teams. He played football at Vanderbilt in 1950 before transferring to Wofford College, Spartanburg, SC, as a football scholarship recipient playing blocking back under legendary Coach Phil Dickens. Price was recruited by the Pittsburg Steelers in 1955 to implement the single-wing offensive play. He was a charter member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity serving as president in 1954. Price was the founder of the musical band known as the Tennessee Dew Drops which traveled over the southeast. He also played in The Aristocrats big dance band, a Dixie Land band and a weekend set at the famous Chicago Playboy Club. Price continued his musical interest all through his life, performing at many fund-raising benefits for Wofford College. Price earned his BA degree from Wofford in 1955. He was inducted into the Wofford Hall of Fame in 2013, receiving the Distinguished Service Award. Price served his country in the United States Army as a 1st Lieutenant - Airborne Qualified in the 5th Army, 3rd Regiment and was stationed at Fort Leonardwood, MO, where he was a Company Commander. He was also a member of the Korean War Veterans Association. Price returned to Nashville after military service as the President of Price Bass Company, a locally owned family business, founded in 1891. Price grew the business with operations in Nashville, Columbia, Murfreesboro, TN & Huntsville, AL. After the sale of Price Bass in 1989, Price worked for Chemweld Fuel Gas, traveling seven states, until retiring in 2014. Price was a member of Claiborne Masonic Lodge, a 32 degree Scottish Rite Mason, York Rite Mason, Royal Arch Mason and a member of Al Menah Shrine Temple, where he rode in the Harley Davidson Heavy Weight Motor Corp Competition Unit for 21 years and was active in charitable pursuits for Shrine Cripple Children & Burn Hospitals, until his death. Price was an equestrian in his earlier years with numerous ribbons to his credit, as well as an avid hunter throughout his life. Survived by his wife of 31 years, Ann Ralston Price of Nashville and two grandsons, Joseph Walker Price and John Bradford Price of Memphis, TN. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Belle Meade United Methodist Church, Nashville, TN, Wofford College, Spartanburg, S.C.; or Alive Hospice, Nashville, TN. PHILLIPS-ROBINSON FUNERAL HOME, (615)262-3312.

Joseph Oscar Price, Jr.

August 30, 1933 - July 25, 2017