James Price

James Thomas "Tom" Price passed away on Thursday, July 24, 2025. Born on November 8, 1939, in Lenoir, NC, he was the son of the late James Astor Price and Margaret Mowery Price.
Tom is survived by his wife of 21 years, Nancy Price; son, Jay Price (Jenny) of Holly Springs, NC; stepdaughter, Christine Hodge (Camden) of Spartanburg, SC; grandchildren, Allison Price, James Price III, and James Hodge; brothers, Charles Price (Carol) of Hickory, NC and Larry Price (Rebecca) of Lenoir, NC; sister, Judy Price Beane, of Lenoir, NC; and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Tom is predeceased by his sister, Michelle Price; brother-in-law, Larry Beane; and niece, Crystal McCall.
Following his high school graduation, Tom enlisted in the United States Army in the First Calvary Division, stationed in Korea, and later served in the 82nd Airborne Division. He completed Special Forces Training at Fort Bragg, graduated from Officer Candidate School, and completed Ranger School at Fort Benning. He earned Foreign Parachutist Badges from several countries, including Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Korea, and the Republic of China. He was proud to serve as a military parachutist High Altitude Low Opening "HALO" instructor for the Thai Special Forces during the Vietnam War. Tom held a Special Forces Southeast Asia HALO jump altitude record of 30,400 feet over Thailand.
He served three tours during the Vietnam War. As part of his service, Tom earned numerous medals, including the Silver Star, Legion of Merit, six Bronze Stars (three with valor), and the Purple Heart. He valued his service highly and attained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
During his military service he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and History from the University of Nebraska, a Master of Arts degree in International Studies from the University of South Carolina, a Master of Arts degree in Chinese Studies from the United States Army Command and General Staff College, and a Juris Doctor degree from Catholic University of America. In addition, he attended the Defense Language Institute and became proficient in the Thai and Chinese languages. He also was an assistant professor of military science at Mississippi State University.
Tom's final duty stations in Washington D.C. included positions as a Strategic Intelligence Analyst at the Pentagon, Army Intelligence Command at Arlington Hall, and the Deputy Post Commander of Ft. Myer. In 1992, Tom was awarded South Carolina's highest civilian honor, the Order of the Palmetto by Governor Carroll A. Campbell, Jr. He was involved in numerous organizations following his retirement. Tom was Past President of the Special Forces Association, Chapter XXXIV, and he attained a Grand Officer in the Sovereign Military Order of the Temple of Jerusalem. Tom was a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, and he was a member of the Purple Heart Association, the First Presbyterian Church, the Robert Burns Society of the Midlands, and the University of South Carolina Alumni Association.
Tom was an avid football fan after playing as a linebacker for Appalachian State University and the US Army while stationed in Korea, and he was a diehard Gamecocks fan. He enjoyed history, reading, and spending time in the mountains of North Carolina with his wife and beloved dachshunds, Popcorn and Zorro. He was a cherished husband and will be greatly missed.
A memorial service to honor the life of James Thomas Price will be held at First Presbyterian Church, 1324 Marion Street, Columbia, SC 29201, on Friday, August 8, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. Visitation with the family will follow the service in Jackson Hall. A burial service, with Full Military Honors, rendered by the United States Army, will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.
Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church at www.firstprescolumbia.org/ or to the Special Forces Association at www.specialforcesassociation.org/donate.
Kornegay Funeral Home, Lugoff-Elgin Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.
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