David Glyn Price

August 10, 1932 - October 31, 2023 Golf resort and airport entrepreneur David G. Price passed away peacefully in his Brentwood home today. He was 91. Known for his stewardship of American Golf Corporation and American Airport Corporation for 40 years, Price operated restaurant Don the Beachcomber, built DC3 restaurant, and co-founded Oaks Christian School.

Born August 10, 1932, in Culver City, California, to Barbara Lillian Riedl and Illtyd Glyn Price, both immigrants from England and Wales. David's siblings, Joan Anawalt and John Price, predeceased him. At age 11, Mr. Price started working alongside his father at Helms Bakery, packaging almond cakes. David graduated from University of Southern California with a B.A. in Economics and served as president of Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity. He played on the freshman basketball team at USC and was a member of the NROTC.

After graduating, he served three years as a Lieutenant in the US Navy, obtaining his wings in 1955 as a naval pilot. David spent two of those years in Pensacola, FL as a flight instructor, receiving The Secretary of the Navy's award for 1000 accident-free flying hours. He enrolled at UCLA School of Law and received his degree in 1960. A member of the law review, he was in the top 10% of his class. Upon graduation, "poor as a church mouse," David went to work for the law firm of O'Melveny and Myers where he specialized in entertainment law.

In 1961, Mr. Price went to work for Joseph Drown, where he became president of Garden Land Company, Don the Beachcomber Enterprises and Getty Resorts. It was from Mr. Drown that he bought his first golf course in 1971, memorialized the deal on a dollar bill, and started California Golf Corporation. By 1993, the golf course management company became American Golf Corporation, operating over 350 golf courses in the United States as well as England, and Australia. An active member of Young Presidents Organization and Chief Executives Organization, he owned and operated the DC-3 Restaurant and Commonwealth Limousines as well.

David's great love for aviation inspired him to establish Museum of Flying and Supermarine at the Santa Monica Airport, where he flew his special P-51 Mustang, Cottonmouth. Over the past four decades, the Museum has restored and preserved dozens of Donald Douglas Company and World War 2 aircraft. Accruing over 4800 flying hours, he participated in the Reno Air Races, winning the silver medal in the Unlimited Gold Division in 1996. In 1997, he set the unofficial world speed record for a single engine propeller aircraft of 535.765 mph in Dago Red, his P51 Mustang. He enjoyed flying many vintage aircraft, including Spitfires, a Messerschmitt, T-28's, a Skyraider, a Hurricane, a Bearcat and a Stearman.

A philanthropist and activist, Mr. Price served on the boards of Union Rescue Mission, Children's Home Society, Boy's Town, Life Without Limbs, and received the Jerry Buss Humanitarian Award in 1998. During the Reagan Administration, he served on the Secretary of the Navy's Advisory Board on Education and Training. As basketball co-commissioner for the 1984 Olympics, David recalled enthusiastically participating in a pick-up game one afternoon, alongside Magic Johnson and Kurt Rambus. Passionate about education, in 2000 he co-founded Oaks Christian School in Westlake Village, a non-profit private school serving students in 4th through 12th grade.

David's heart always remained at home. He married Dallas Peterman upon graduating USC with her. After law school, they resided in Santa Monica and raised 5 children: Sheri (Craig) Price, Terry (Kevin) Roberts, Christy (Jim) Stanich, Jamie (Brad) Price-Schlei, and David (Tracey) Price. He has 12 grandchildren, Jennifer (Justin) Taton, Michol Roberts, James Roberts, Bryan Price, Kane (Danielle) Roberts, Kyle (Tori) Stanich, Glenna (Mike) Castrillo, Catherine Price, David Price, Bennett Price, Audrey Price, and Lillian Price-Schlei. Along came 5 great-grandchildren, Ryder Roberts, Tyler Taton, Brooks Roberts, Chase Taton, and Daisy Roberts. In 1999, he married Helen McDonald and became a stepfather to her children, Heather McDonald Hultgren and Craig McDonald. Step-grandchildren include Benjamin Wunsch, Destinee Valadez, Olivia Logario, and Faith McDonald. Step-greatgrandchildren are Gracen Wunsch and Kenneth James Logario.

Favorite pastimes included playing basketball, paddle tennis, music, and reading. David held true to his faith and family, devoted to coaching his children's sports teams and attending their games, cheering on his grandchildren from the sidelines. Throughout his life, he encouraged timely decision-making, prudent risk-taking, and challenged every individual to always improve. A problem-solver, he remained committed to motivating others to reach their positive potential, never wavering in his standards of excellence. An eternal optimist, he demonstrated being "unbelievably fantastic" provides boundless enthusiasm for each and every day here on Earth~

A private service will be held for family and a celebration of life will follow in the new year.