Carroll Montague Price, Sr.

CARROLL MONTAGUE PRICE, SR.

Monty Price passed away Thursday, August 18 in Dallas. His father was Colonel Carroll Porteous Price, a military doctor. Monty's mother, Mary Hilleary Shreve Waters Price, was a widow with two sons and two daughters when she married Dr. Price. Monty was born August 3, 1931 in Seattle, Washington, when his father was stationed at Fort Lawton. Immediately following his birth, Fort Lawton's commander issued official U.S. Army orders for "Second Lieutenant" Carroll Montague Price to report to his father, Major Price, for "quarters and rations." His father often wrote letters addressed to Monty as the "young Lieutenant," and the two had a close warm relationship. Mrs. Price's four elder children looked up to their new father and looked after their baby brother. The blended family soon merged into a tight family unit.

Young Monty enjoyed hunting, fishing, riding horses, and hitchhiking his way across country to junior tennis tournaments. The military family travelled to several Army posts before the colonel's retirement in 1943, when the family returned to Harrodsburg. Despite Monty's small stature, he became a scrappy basketball player and he continued playing tennis. He worked part-time jobs for his pocket money. Although soft spoken, he was a popular student and served as the emcee of his high school graduation ceremony in 1949.

After high school, Monty became a true blue University of Kentucky "Wildcat." At U.K. he joined the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity and participated in R.O.T.C. Monty was both a nationally ranked tennis player and captain of the tennis team. In 1953 he received a B.S. degree in Commerce. He became the "Lieutenant" his father had hoped for when he served the U.S. Army Signal Corps. as a company commander. He later achieved his captaincy through R.O.T.C. In 1959 the death of Dr. Price compelled Monty to leave the Army and return to Kentucky to be near his elderly mother. He quickly found work with Southern Bell Telephone.

In 1957 Monty married Nancy Winn Johnson of Lexington, Kentucky. The couple welcomed a son, Carroll Montague Price, Jr. in 1960, and in 1965 their daughter Jeannette was born. For many reasons, the marriage was unsuccessful. The couple divorced, and Monty returned to his family home in Harrodsburg with two young children.

Three years later, Monty met his true love, Nancy Ruth Jones, on a blind date set up by a co-worker of Monty's from GTE. Early on Nancy and Monty realized they were meant for each other, and undaunted by the challenges presented by his ready-made family, the young elementary school teacher said "I do" on June 21, 1969. The family lived in Lexington. In April of 1970, Daniel Preston Price entered the world. The three Price children were guests at their parents' first anniversary party.

Not long after their youngest son was born, Monty's position with GTE was transferred to New York City, and then to Stamford, Connecticut. The family settled in nearby Darien. The family found good friends in their new neighborhood. Monty played competitive tennis, and the whole family enjoyed being close to the beaches of Long Island Sound The family often spent vacations driving to see historic sites of New England. Monty and Nancy became very involved in Noroton Presbyterian Church. Monty was both humble and proud when he was asked to serve as an elder.

When GTE transferred Monty to Texas in 1979, the family landed in Farmers Branch at Brookhaven Country Club. The Price family adapted well to the Texas lifestyle. When the children had sports or school activities, Monty always made time to attend, a habit that he continued later with his two grandsons. When Monty's tennis elbow would no longer permit him to play tennis, he devoted himself to golf, playing regularly with his daughter and with friends. As soon as he was eligible, he became active in Brookhaven Country Club's Senior Golf Association. He served as the organization's president in 1992. He later joined the Super Seniors Golf Association at Brookhaven, and he was a frequent patron of the Brookhaven Athletic Club.

After retirement, Monty and Nancy remained in Texas to be near their children. They travelled widely, and they particularly enjoyed their cruises to Alaska, to Canada, to the British Isles, and through the Panama Canal. He seemed always to have a camera around his neck. He took photographs and video of his travels and of his regular visits to the Dallas Arboretum, and often recorded his grandsons' sporting events.

As time passed, Monty did not forget his U.K. roots. He was among the founding members of the U.K. Alumni Association Club of Dallas/Fort Worth, an organization that now boasts nearly 1,000 members. With Nancy, he often volunteered to help with the activities of P.E.O, a philanthropic group that promotes education for women. He was a member of Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church of Dallas.

Monty and Nancy cared for each other through times of joy and tribulation, through sickness and health. He supported Nancy throughout her successful battle with breast cancer and with several other health challenges that followed.

For friends and family, he was there whenever and wherever he was needed. He was always willing to lend a helping hand or a listening ear. It was no bother, he told his children, because "that's what I'm here for." He did not dwell on his own troubles, and few friends knew how ill he really came to be. Sustained by faith, Price bravely faced the end of days. Despite the trials he endured, he always expressed appreciation for the medical staff who cared for him.
Monty Price was a tender, honest, kind man. He will remain in the hearts of his family and friends forever. Survivors include: his wife, Nancy Ruth Jones, sons Monty, Jr. and Preston, daughter Jeannette and husband Bill Nelson-their sons Connor and Kyle, sisters-in-law Betty Waters and Carolyn Bruce, and many loving nieces and nephews.