James R. Price

James R. Price
Jim Price died on Aug. 28, 2025, at age 85 after living a blessed and fulfilling life.
James Richard Price was born to Roger Jonathan and Geraldine Fitzgerald Price on Sept. 30, 1939, in Freeport, Illinois. He graduated from Freeport High School, home of the Pretzels, in 1957 and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism and history from Northern Illinois University in 1961, having received a commendation "For Outstanding Achievement in Journalism at Northern Illinois University."
Jim was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Shirley Price Buswell.
Jim is survived by his wife of 58 years, Suzette R. Price, their sons Joel (Charles) and Eric Price, his brother-in-law and sister-in-law Robert and Kathleen Rothen, nieces Jennifer (Kevin) Garcia-Hettinger, Amy (Ryan) Park, nephew Mark (Jennifer) Buswell, great-nephews Nicholas Garcia-Hettinger, Vincent Garcia-Hettinger, William Park, Jamie Park and Jacob Buswell and second cousin Betty Lynne.
Jim came to Texas in 1963 while serving in the U.S. Army in the Public Information Office at Fort Sam Houston and fell in love with the living history of the Alamo City. After a brief return to the Midwest, he returned to San Antonio and married Suzette in 1967.
As a reporter for The Light and The Express, Jim particularly thrived covering the Bexar County Courthouse because of his interest in government, politics and the courts. On reporting, his mantra was, "Don't take yourself too seriously, but take what you do very, very seriously." He served as city editor for The Express, which was a morning newspaper, and Jim had the fine reputation as being the type of a city editor students were told about in journalism school. As a result of his career achievements, Jim was inducted into the Northern Star Hall of Fame Class of 2006 in a ceremony at Northern Illinois University.
Jim loved God, his family and friends who were like family. His MacArthur Park Lutheran Church family was very important to him, and he volunteered faithfully for the 43 years that he was a member serving as Congregation Council Secretary and President. He enjoyed his years singing in the Senior Choir and loved the 17 years that he read to the children at MacArthur Park Lutheran School.
In addition to his service at MacArthur Park, Jim served in several regional ministries of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. He served as chair of the Commission for Communications of the Southwestern Texas Synod, which provided editorial oversight for the synod's every-home newspaper and provided other communications leadership for the synod.
He served as a member of the Synod Council of the Southwestern Texas Synod, which is the synod's board of directors. He was the author of a resolution regarding living wages for congregational staff that was approved by the Synod Assembly, the synod's highest legislative authority. He and his wife, Suzette, were advocates for mutual ministry in congregations and fair compensation for ordained ministers, sharing resources with area congregations.
Both Jim and Suzette served as advocates and volunteers for campus ministry, providing leadership for an offering campaign for campus ministry throughout the synod. Jim served as a board member and later board chair for Christ Chapel campus ministry at Texas State University in San Marcos.
Jim will be remembered for his generosity of time, talents, treasure and for his steadfast belief in justice and the value of all people.
The memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 6, at MacArthur Park Lutheran Church, 2903 Nacogdoches Road.
The family of James R. Price requests that memorials be given to the James R. and Suzette R. Price Endowment Fund, which is held at Lutheran Foundation of the Southwest. Distributions from the endowment fund will be sent annually in the future to MacArthur Park Lutheran Church and School, campus ministry, Water to Thrive, and The Salvation Army.
Checks may be made payable to Lutheran Foundation of the Southwest, noting James R. and Suzette R. Price Endowment Fund on the memo line, and mailed to the foundation at the address below:
Lutheran Foundation of the Southwest
103 12th St., Suite 201
Pflugerville, TX 78660