NORWICH – James Melford Price, 91, of Norwich, passed away Friday, May 25, 2012, in the Norwich Rehab and Nursing Center.
The son of Carl R. and Hazel Price, Jim was born in April of 1921 in Brice Prairie, LaCrosse County, WI. His school years were in the Oak Grove School in Brice Prairie through eighth grade, and he graduated from Holmen High School. Jim then attended the University of Wisconsin (Madison) where he earned his BS Degree in 1943 and his MS Degree with a major of Biochemistry in 1944. From 1944 through 1946, Jim served his country in the U.S. Navy. Upon receipt of his honorable discharge, he returned to the University of Wisconsin, earning his Ph.D. in 1948. He attended the University of Wisconsin Medical School, earning his MD in 1951 with majors in Biochemistry and Physiology and minors in Organic Chemistry and Pharmacology. From 1951 through 1952, he had a rotating internship through the University of Cincinnati, Ohio.
Jim’s working career began in 1952 as Assistant Professor of Clinical Pathology for the University of Wisconsin Medical School. From 1955-1959, he was the Associate Professor of Surgery and Cancer Research, and from 1959-1967 he was the Professor of Surgery and Cancer Research. In 1967, Jim became employed by Abbott Laboratories in North Chicago, IL, working as Director of Experimental Therapy until 1974. From 1974 through 1976 he held the title of Vice President, Corporate Research and Experimental Therapy, and was Vice President, Corporate Scientific Development from 1976-1978. In 1978, Jim relocated to Norwich where he became Vice President, Medical Affairs, for Norwich Eaton Pharmaceuticals, a title he held through 1981, and in 1981-1983 he was VP of International R & D. From 1982 through 1990, Jim was President of the Radac Group.
During his distinguished career, Jim held memberships in many professional organizations, including the American Association for Cancer Research, American Institute of Nutrition, American Society of Biological Chemists, American Society of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, National Institutes of Health (Division of Research Grants), Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association, Society of Experimental Biology and Medicine and the Society of Toxicology. He had over 100 peer reviewed publications of original research to his credit.
Jim had a love of airplanes and became a licensed pilot for single engine craft in 1973. For 10 years he owned a Cessna R-182 and flew several thousand hours as Pilot in Command.
On Sept. 27, 1986, in Norwich, Jim married Charlotte E. Schwenk. He is survived by his wife, Charlotte Price of Norwich; his step-mother, Evie Price of Onalaska, WI; his children and their spouses: Veda and Robert Moretti of Bellevue, WA, Jeannie Price, also of Bellevue, and Alta Price and husband Leonardo Antaris of Bettendorf, IA; his step-children and their spouses: Shirley and Weldon Breaux of Sulphur, LA, Irene and Norman McCumber of Wells Bridge, Cindy and Timothy Davis of Cincinnati, OH; seven grandchildren: Robert, Amy, and Daniel Moretti, Andrew and Katie Rose Fischer-Price, Alexander Antaris and Meredith Price; and four step-grandchildren: Terrence and Kevin McCumber, Jennifer Taylor, and Jeffrey Davis. Also surviving are two step great grandchildren, Kyle McCumber and Davis Taylor; his sisters Mae Larson and Carol Olson; and a sister-in-law, Elaine Price. James was predeceased by his former wife, Ethelyn; his sister, Echo Cheeley, and brother, Robert Price.
Funeral services will be held at noon on Tuesday from the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home. Interment with military rites will follow in the Union Cemetery of Edmeston. Friends may call at the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home on Tuesday from 10 a.m. until the service at noon.
Please consider memorial contributions to the James M. Price Award for Cancer Research: University of Wisconsin School of Medicine Health Sciences Learning Center, 750 Highland Ave., Madison, WI 53705 or to the National Rifle Association, NRA Processing Center, P.O. Box 420648, Palm Coast, FL 32142-0648 or to the Norwich Rehab and Nursing Center’s Garden Fund: Norwich Rehab and Nursing Center, 88 Calvary Drive, Norwich, NY 13815.