Richard Pierce Price, a beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and friend, passed away peacefully on October 30, 2025.
Richard was a lifetime member of Martha’s Chapel Free Methodist church in Deville, Louisiana. He and his wife, Cecile “Cel”, devoted much time and talent to serving the Lord in many capacities.
Richard enjoyed hunting ducks back when it was worth the adventure. Then deer hunting became more of an enjoyment. Catching and frying up some fine white perch was a delight.
He was a graduate of Buckeye High School Class of 1954, University of Louisiana Lafayette (SLI/USL) Class of 1959, and Northwestern State University – master’s Plus 30. He was a teacher of Industrial Arts and Auto Mechanics. He began the industrial arts and drafting classes at Buckeye High School. During the latter half of his career, he became the auto mechanics teacher at Jena High School. He was very proud of his many student teams competing and placing well in state and national Auto Troubleshooting Competitions.
In later years, Richard and Cel set out to travel to all 50 states of the United States of America. This endeavor was accomplished. They joined the Louisiana Ramblers Camping Club and greatly enjoyed their monthly camping trips with good friends.
Richard was a proud veteran. He was called to active duty, “drafted”, in 1959 by the U.S. Army. He had his basic training at Fort Riley, Kansas. He came home on a pass for the Fourth of July to marry his high school sweetheart, Cecile “Cel” Carmouche. They moved on to Fort Carson, Colorado, and enjoyed the wonderful year spent there. He returned home at the end of 1960, with his wife and newborn son, to begin teaching. However, it wasn’t long until his reserve unit was recalled to active duty. In 1961, he and his family moved to Fort Campbell, Kentucky. He was part of the 415 Ordnance Company, as support for the 101st Airborne, readying for deployment to Germany because of the “Berlin Crisis” and “Cuban Missile Crisis”. After a year of anticipating war, the “Crisis” was settled, and he was honorably discharged to return home. He, Cel, Jeff, and a daughter on the way, returned to Louisiana so he could begin teaching again at Oak Hill High School.
After returning home from the Army, Richard began drawing his dream home plans. In 1965, the family moved into the family home he had designed, labored to build, and finished out. This was a home he was determined to live out his life in, no nursing home for him! He achieved his desire. He passed peacefully, in the living room of his home, having received the best of care and support from a team of caregivers-family, friends, nurses, and aides from Heart of Hospice, and a special team of sitters. Praise the Lord!
He is survived by his loving children, Sandra Price Thompson and Jeffrey R. Price (Sheryl); grandchildren, Matthew Price, Michael Price (Lindsey), and Mallory Thompson; great-grandchildren, Mason Price, Oliver Price, and LeLa Price, who will carry on his legacy with fond memories and the values he instilled in them. He is also survived by his devoted brother, Lloyd B. Price (Katy), who will cherish their many shared experiences and the bonds of family.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Vivian Cecile “Cel” Carmouche Price, and parents, Alton R. and Lela Paul Price.
Funeral services were held on Nov. 1 at Martha’s Chapel Free Methodist Church in Deville with Reverend Dale Robinson officiating, assisted by Reverend H. Emitte Belgard. Burial followed in Martha’s Chapel Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers honored to serve were Matthew Price, Michael Price, Andy Price, Grady Crooks, Rodney Slay, Joey Carmouche, Trent Carmouche, Rickey Carmouche, Reece Price, and Mason Price.