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Reynolds Price Obituary
Duke spokesman Keith Lawrence said Price died Thursday after he had the heart attack last Sunday.
In 1962, Price earned the William Faulkner Award for a notable first novel for his book, "A Long and Happy Life." He published numerous books after that, including the novel "Kate Vaiden," which received the National Book Critics Circle Award in 1986.
Price was a Rhodes Scholar. He took a teaching job at Duke in 1958 and remained on the faculty for 53 years.
At Price's request, there will be no public funeral. The school has not yet announced plans to honor Price.
Copyright © 2011 The Associated Press
56 Entries
September 18, 2019
God is a God of all Comfort and he will Comfort the Family's...My heartfelt thoughts...
josephine thomas
December 12, 2011
for some reason, i am just now discovering that my favorite writer is gone, i am a working writer, and mr. price was the only writer to whom I wrote fan letters--two of them. And he wroek back!l postcards in his neat handwriting thanking me, when i should have been on my knees, thanking him, for reminding me why i write, a nd why i read and sometimes, why i dream.
Glen Downey
February 4, 2011
I was a freshman in college in Kansas in the mid 1980s and I thought I wanted to be a writer. People were generally kind enough to take me seriously, and one teacher even went a step further, and said, hey, kid, you think you want to be a writer, read this. It was a photo copy of the first page of A Long and Happy Life with that beautifully twisted first sentence. I was never the same, and I learned two important things. One, I wasn't going to a writer, and two, I had just discovered a powerful new friend. These were big gifts indeed, and they changed my life. Many years later, I had the chance to relate that story to Mr. Price, and he just sat back in his chair, laughed that melodious laugh of his, and gently reached out to touch my hand. It was a simple and endearing gesture. I told him how much it meant to me. I wish I could tell him again. See you when I get there, maestro.
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P Lewis
January 26, 2011
May the God of all peace be with you and your family you are in our prayers
January 25, 2011
I fell in love with Reynolds Price while reading his endearing account in "Clear Pictures"...I remember wanting to go sit beside him and converse with such a gifted and talented and sensitive gentleman. My deepest condolences and heartfelt thanks for such a great life so richly shared with us all. Mary Trumm, Ocala, Florida
Yvonne Meadows
January 25, 2011
Mr. Price was my very favorite author. I had the privilege of meeting him at the UVA Festival of the Book. It was one of the most special days of my life as I found him to be a true Southern Gentleman who wrote so knowingly about the Southern Ladies.
January 25, 2011
Our deepest condolences are with your famiy. Atlanta,Ga.
Anthony Cox
January 24, 2011
I just bought his book "Clear Pictures", on Wednesday. We lost him the very next day. How sad. Tony Cox (New Orleans)
Sarah York
January 24, 2011
With a unique gift of language, Reynolds Price could touch the heart, stir the soul, and liberate the spirit. My favorites were Clear Pictures and Kate Vaiden, but I will never forget Rosacoke and Wesley, and I have given away several copies of A Whole New Life. I hope you have a copy of my book, Remembering Well, as you plan a private memorial and grieve your personal loss. While his death is a loss to the world, I know his friendships were deep and enduring and you will miss his loving presence in your life.
January 24, 2011
My deepest sympathy is with Mr. Price's family. I was diagnosed and treated thirty years ago for the same tumor Mr. Price had. His energy through the relentless pain of this particular cancer is one of his legacies. I know he now has gone on to another "whole new life," but he left us the gift of himself through his words.
Dinamay Parry
January 23, 2011
What wonderful books you wrote and I will never forget you my dear friend.
Officer Dina (Nadine) Parry
Y.A.
January 23, 2011
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
William Harvey
January 23, 2011
I am from Southside Virginia, but I was born in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, due to its being the nearest hospital at that time. Same part of the country as Reynolds Price. Sometimes when I would read a paragraph in one of his books about families of his childhood sitting on a country house porch, it could be a memory from my childhood--so real. And there are many special sentences in his books about modern times and life that struck a chord with me--A Good Priest's son, for example. His book about learning to live with pain and being treated at Duke Hospital was so eeirily like my father's chronic pain and treatment at Duke also and his search for new methods of dealing with it as new techniques were being developed. I felt as if this wonderful writer-Reynolds Price--expressed what I was thinking and feeling so often about so many different times of my own life. That is a true gift. He evoked the South and my part of the South in a way that no other Southern writer has done. Such a talent. Such a loss to the World, but he is now with his heavenly Father and one of his angels. God has taken him home.
January 23, 2011
He was a wonderful writer and a generous person. I sincerely enjoyed his writing. Promise of Rest was one of the most beautiful books I ever read. May God bless and keep him, he will be missed.
Randall T. Johnson
January 23, 2011
Reynolds..........You fought the "good fight" in more ways than one. Your fellow classmate, Randall T. Johnson, Duke '55.
John Perry
January 22, 2011
Reynolds Price, a remarkable man, friendly, generous, humorous "tar heel" ....God Bless him....
January 22, 2011
May he be in the eyes of God.
D Moss
January 22, 2011
My deepest sympathy to the family and friends. May the God of all tender mercies, who comforts us in our pain and sorrow give you all the needed strength to endure this sad occassion Psalm 34:18. How good it is to know that when God restores the earth back into a beautiful Paradise, everyone there will enjoy everlasting life in perfect health Psalm 34:10,11 & 29.
Pam Hildebran
January 22, 2011
He was brilliant, generous, compassionate. Such a beautiful use of language--probably my favorite comes at the conclusion of A Whole New Life, when he writes that "these words flow down the arm of a grateful man" (I hope I got that right). I as a reader and writer am grateful that I got to hear him read with Miss Eudora Welty and again with Lee Smith. I could listen to him read every day of my life and be renewed and enriched. We will miss him mightily.
Mary Davenport
January 22, 2011
My life has been enriched by the words of Reynolds Price. His books are the best - beautifully written, thought provoking,and soul touching. We have lost a great man. May those who knew him and loved him find peace in the days ahead.
Ann Hedman
January 22, 2011
My brother introduced me to the writings of Reynolds Price. I am so grateful. His book on living on with limitations is wonderful. We can all learn so much from this talented author, person, teacher, and human being.
Faith McLellan
January 22, 2011
Ave atque Vale to one of North Carolina's finest. What gifts he had! Generations will continue to know him through his stunning writing.
Tre Benson
January 22, 2011
My cousin. Blood kin, we shared the same knotted family tree. My deepest sympathy to all those who loved him.
Matilda Smith
January 22, 2011
I adored you, Reynolds. Rest in peace.
Gary Heath
January 21, 2011
I read Reynolds Price's BLUE CALHOUN and went on to enjoy several other RP books. I admired how he continued a full writing life despite being wheelchair bound. His time on Earth has empowered a lot of people.
Shirley McLellan
January 21, 2011
As a reader of his writings,I feel that I have lost a dear friend.
January 21, 2011
TO THE PRICE FAMILY,I EXPRESS MY DEEPEST SYMPATHY AT THIS VERY DIFFICULT AND PAINFUL TIME.PLEASE FIND COMFORT IN READING DANIEL 12 2.A,W.HOUSTON,TX.
January 21, 2011
May God comfort the family and friends of Mr. Price. We can all look forward to the time when death will be no more and instead of tears of sorrrow there will be tears of happiness.
D.A. Willingboro, NJ
Dot Hoover
January 21, 2011
Having discovered Reynolds Price's books a few years ago he became my favorite author He had a way of putting thoughts and words together which I had never known before. He will be so missed in this world.
Barbara (Binky) Brake
January 21, 2011
As a class member of Reynolds at Needham Broughton High School, Raleigh, NC I am saddened that we have lost a dear friend. Our class recognized then that he had a special talent with his words and the world and our class has lost not only the writer but a part of our youth.
Carolyn Antonucci
January 21, 2011
Very sorry the world has lost this amazing man. My sympathy to his family.
He touched so many people....everywhere.
Annie Hammon
January 21, 2011
I'm just stunned. Selfishly, I wasn't ready for his voice to be stilled. Also selfishly, there are all the words he'd already put on paper. Our world is poorer.
Reynolds signing at the Gothic Bookstore 2008.
Caroline Vaughan
January 21, 2011
Reynolds was very generous to his fans and attended many book signings over the years. This one at Duke was during Jubilee I think in 2008.
Michael McGrath
January 21, 2011
I had emailed Reynolds Price in the last year reminding him of our brief communications when I was in religious formation and he was a Rhodes scholar in England. I've enjoyed his works but sadly by my laziness not his continued friendship over the years. In his heart he was a man of Faith. He shall have a place in time and eternity now. All condolences to his intimate friends and family who mourn his loss.
Wendy Benson
January 21, 2011
My nephew Erik was a student of Reynolds Price at Duke and chosen to travel with him for a year around the world! Thank you Mr. Price for giving him that awesome experience! Prayers for family and friends.....
Sarah Price
January 21, 2011
I enjoyed reading Mr. Price's works; he was a gifted writer and will be missed.
Rest in peace.
Caroline Vaughan
January 21, 2011
Reynolds will be remembered in the hearts of his students, readers and fans. His talent as a writer has helped many people understand his bout with cancer. He also had a great sense of humor and was a mentor to many. I could never repay his many kindnesses to me as friend and the many times he chose me to photograph him for his book covers, including "Kate Vaiden" his first book after spinal cancer. He was generous, intelligent and supported by his faith. May he rest in peace.
Michael Goforth
January 21, 2011
I was fortunate enough to have Reynolds Price as my mentor when I was a student at Duke University in the late 1960s.
I had been an engineering major, but he encouraged my writing.
I became an English major and now, more than 40 years later, I continue to earn my living as a writer.
Being at Duke was special. Knowing Reynolds Price made it even more so.
Rest in peace, at last, dear sir.
n a
January 21, 2011
Reynolds Price "A Whole New Life" should be required reading for all med students and seminary students. Truly a remarkable citizen of the world and a dear North Carolinian.
ginny fredricks
January 21, 2011
So sad to hear of his death- Kate Vaiden will always be one of my favorite books. I recently moved and had to get rid of many books- none of his were in that group.. My condolences to his family
m l
January 21, 2011
Rest in Peace Mr. Reynolds Price. North Carolina appreciates your dedicated service. God bless you and your family.
Ken
January 21, 2011
Such a great writer! Thank you, Reynolds Price, for your wonderful books and for your 53-year teaching legacy.
Anne Russell
January 21, 2011
I vividly remember the first time I met Reynolds Price, in Chapel Hill in my former husband's law office. A tall, well-dressed, dark-haired, handsome fellow entered and almost took my breath away with his presence. I would have run off with him at that moment, but my husband later told me I was not, ahem, this author's type, as he was, ahem, not attracted to females. Oh, the disappointment! So I contented myself with enjoying his wonderful writing.
Bill Train
January 21, 2011
Reynolds Price was a guest in our home once. A southern gentleman whose presence would warm up a room.
Terri Mueller
January 21, 2011
I have been deeply moved by his incredible story telling. I often think back to many passages in his beautiful books. May he rest in peace having left a significant mark upon my soul.
Jock Stender
January 21, 2011
Reynolds Price quietly suffered from chronic pain in the latter part of his life, and read an essay he composed on that subject on NPR in the late 1990s. "Impossible to escape for one second, or to comprehend" is my best recollection of that. I know people living with such pain and thanks to Price's experience and eloquence, can appreciate that torment somewhat better.
From a very young age, Price was a deeply spiritual Christian, and learned and translated, for his thirsty soul, the Koine Greek, the basis of his unique and literary "The Three [Synoptic] Gospels" -- a wonderful living legacy.
God bless his soul.
Jock Stender
Charleston, SC
Trinity College '74
R Golay
January 21, 2011
To the the family of Reynolds Price - May God give you peace and comfort through his word and the Lord Jesus Christ during this time of sorrow, I know that Reynolds will be missed by many.
Mary Finch
January 21, 2011
My condolences to the family of Reynolds Price! I shall never forget his magnetic personality nor expansive sense of humor. May his soul rest in eternal peace!
Philip Lee Williams
January 21, 2011
It seems impossible this great and good man is gone. Peace to his soul, joy to ours for the legacy he leaves.
Anne Harwell
January 20, 2011
I greatly admire all of Mr. Price's beautifully written books. I have recommended his A Whole New Life as a handbook on living with chronic pain.
January 20, 2011
I've read his book about his time with cancer, A Whole New Life: An Illness and a Healing, and found it well-written. A co-worker recommended it to me after I told him of my wife's cancer. She survived.
My condolences to his family and friends.
Shannon Polson
January 20, 2011
May Reynolds Price continue to write of reaching for glory in his new home. I am grateful to have sat in his classroom once, many years ago.
Diane Paul
January 20, 2011
What a wonderful teaching legacy! May Reynolds Price rest in eternal peace.
Willow Springs
January 20, 2011
Reynolds was in our class at school in Wake Count. He always had a grand story to tell.
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