Tupelo - Jack Price died peacefully Thursday, February 12, 2026, at the age of 97 in Tupelo. He was born December 19, 1928, in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, to Samuel and Mary Price. Jack spent many of his formative years in Plantersville, Mississippi, in a large, loving family. He loved to tell the story of hearing about the attack on Pearl Harbor and spreading the news to the people of Plantersville, going from house-to-house on his bicycle. He was eager to enlist in the service, but had to wait until he was old enough. Jack joined the US Navy in 1946 and served two years, then moved to Dayton, Ohio, to attend art school. After returning to Tupelo, he met and married Norma Jean Ballard Price in 1954 in the First Presbyterian Church.

Jack had a long career as a captain in the Tupelo Police Department. After retiring from the police department, he became the Lee County Civil Defense Director where he enjoyed teaching school assemblies about tornadoes, earthquakes, and emergency management until he retired.

Jack always said he had inherited what he called an “itchy foot” from his father, which led him to live in many places including Los Angeles, Dallas, and Fort Lauderdale, Florida, but he spent most of his blessedly-long life in Tupelo.

He loved to travel both domestically and abroad and was rarely without his trusty video camera. He enjoyed classic American movies, and his film recommendations never disappointed. A natural storyteller, Jack was often the life of the party and could get a laugh out of anyone he met. He was an avid exerciser and could be found almost daily at the Tupelo Wellness Center until late into his 80s.

Survivors include his second wife, Barbara Parker; two sons, David Price and Mark Price of Tupelo; one daughter, Gayle Price (Ben Dillon) of New York City; two grandchildren, Nathaniel Price (Daisha Simon) of Cleveland, Ohio and Auden Price-Dillon of Nashua, New Hampshire; one sister, Jane James of Ocala, Florida, and many nieces and nephews. To use one of Jack’s favorite expressions, “Golly Bum!” they sure are going to miss him.

Jack is preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Norma Jean Ballard Price, and one grandson, Corbyn Maddox. Also passing before him were his brother, Johnny Price, and four sisters, Aileen Doty, Bee Glasser, Sue Van Zandt, and Kate Conley.

Visitation will be from 5 until 7 p.m. Friday, February 20, 2026, at Pegues Funeral Directors in Tupelo.

A Memorial Service honoring the life of Mr. Jack will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, February 21, 2026 at the First Presbyterian Church Tupelo with Rev. John Brock Officiating.

As Jack loved animals (especially cats and dogs, but he also had a beloved banty hen as a childhood pet), the family is requesting any memorials to be made to the Tupelo Lee Humane Society at P.O. Box 2143, Tupelo, MS 38803.

Expressions of sympathy and fond memories may be left at www.PeguesFuneralHome.com.