James Roger (Jim) Price, 92, of Clinton, Missouri, passed away at his home on December 26th, 2025 surrounded by family. Jim was born on April 25, 1933 in Clinton, the son of Joseph Theodore Price and Angeline Marie (Arens) Price. He was the middle child of three. Jim was baptized into the Holy Rosary Church in Clinton, where he was a lifelong member.
Jim attended school in Clinton, graduating in 1951 as an honor student. He also completed piano lessons from 2nd grade through the 8th grade, and learned to play the guitar. At the age of 12, Jim started helping his father build houses where he learned the trade that stayed with him throughout his life.
During his high school years, Jim participated in several activities. He played basketball all four years and as a junior was on the 1950 team that won 3rd place in the state tournament. Jim played the trumpet all four years in the high school marching band. He also played in the city band, and performed in the bandstand on the courthouse lawn once a week during the summer months. Following graduation, he worked at J.C. Penney on the square in Clinton. While working there he met his future wife, Eula Fern Trenary who also worked at Penney’s.
Jim was drafted into the U.S. Army and was sworn in on May 29, 1953. He served for two years at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas during the Korean War and was promoted to Sergeant in the anti-aircraft artillery unit.
During his time in the Army, Jim and Eula Fern were married on June 12, 1954 and returned to El Paso to make their first home. Following his discharge in May of 1955, they returned to Clinton and Jim was transferred to the Penney’s store in Junction City, Kansas. While in Junction City, their first child, Cheri, was born on October 7, 1955. The family then moved back to Clinton and Jim began work in the building trades. In 1956, he enrolled at CMSU in Warrensburg. While attending college, he arranged classes in the morning hours so he could be home to work in the afternoon to support his family. A second child, Terri, was born on May 16, 1958 and a third child, Chris, was born January 6, 1962. After completing four years of college, Jim graduated with a BSBA and embarked on a full-time career in construction.
Jim’s projects in the West Central Missouri region include construction of over 200 homes, five apartment buildings and several duplexes, as well as the Clinton Corners Shopping Center and the Clinton Country Club. He also remodeled the Henry County Museum Adair Annex and the DeLozier Building. In 1964, he developed what is known as the Price Lawn addition to Clinton. In 1972, he purchased a partnership in a commercial building company, Westport Construction, and completed projects that included an elementary school in Warrensburg, a high school in Harrisonville, and the original Golden Valley Memorial Hospital in Clinton.
In 1963, Jim and Fern purchased 40 acres of land on North Vansant Road. Soon after, they built and moved into their home where they have lived for sixty years. After retirement, they developed the remaining 30 acres into a housing addition named Timber Ridge.
Jim also served the community in many ways. He was elected to the Clinton School Board and served twelve years, including four years as President. The County Commissioners appointed him to the Henry County Library Board of Trustees where he served as President for 23 years. A new library building was constructed during his tenure as President. He was also a member of the Clinton Board of Adjustments.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, brother Donald Joe Price, and niece Courtney (Price) Korey.
Survivors include his wife of 71 years, Fern Price; three children: Cheri Howell (Randy), Terri Eberting (Chris), Chris Price (Laura); seven grandchildren: Sarah Monfore (Monte), Nathan Jordan (Jody), Lauren Roberts (Jeremy), Claire Gould (Aaron), and Joseph Price; seven great-grandchildren: Matthew Monfore, Miles Monfore, Lydia Jordan, Oliver Jordan, Charlotte Jordan, Ellis Roberts and Violet Roberts; one sister, Linda Price; one sister-in-law, Ronda Brasier (Jim); and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives.
A Celebration of Life will be at 11:00 a.m. Monday, January 5, 2026 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church. The family will receive friends from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m., just prior to the Celebration. Interment will be in the Englewood Cemetery. Military services will be at the graveside under the direction of the Missouri Funeral Honors team and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 1894, Clinton. The family suggests memorial contributions to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Multiple Sclerosis Foundation or the Holy Rosary Catholic Church. Services are under the direction of the Bradley & Hadley Funeral Home, Clinton. Condolences may be left online at www.bradleyhadley.com.
