John Waitman Price

John graduated from South Charleston High School in 1967. In his youth he enjoyed his model trains and loved seeing steam locomotives in person or on TV. He was a great swimmer, gymnast, lifeguard and trumpet player in the band. He loved working with numbers and was excellent at math. He worked at a plant in Charleston cleaning out military vehicles. In fact since he was small enough to climb inside, he had the job of cleaning out a fuel cell in a tank and almost did not make it back out due to the fumes. In 1967 the family moved to Fairfax Virginia and in 1968 he decided to join the Army, following in his father Jim’s footsteps. Then he was off to basic training and on to flight school at Ft. Rucker, Alabama. He went to serve his Country in Vietnam and to fly Hueys in 1970 and 71.

Just back in the States 6 weeks John started Advertising Associates which included the Fairfax Advertiser later to become the Fairfax Mirror, a local newspaper in Fairfax City. He really enjoyed working in advertising and sales, he later worked with the Record Newspaper in Rockville, MD.

Upon returning home also joined various organizations such as the Fairfax American Legion Post 177, Fairfax VFW 8469 and became a founding member of Centreville Moose lodge 2168. Later in life joining the Frostburg Elks 0470.

In 1975 he met Sandy Wilson through his legion buddy, Les Butler, who had served in the Battle of the Bulge. Les was married to Sandy’s sister Vicky. On March 10, 1977 John and Sandy were married in Upper Marlboro Court house in Maryland. Later that year on November 7, Sandy gave birth to James Victor Price at Fairfax Hospital.

In 1978, he joined the 11th Special Forces Army Reserve Unit flying the Green Berets out of Ft. Meade, Maryland.

After the newspaper business he moved on to “try on many different hats” as he loved to say. He was a car salesman at Koons Chrysler Plymouth in Tysons Corner for many years. Garrett County Maryland Volunteer Fire Fighter, bartender at the American Legion Post 177 and a real-estate agent for Americorp Mortgage Services Inc. Also throughout his life owning and maintaining rental properties here in Fairfax City, in Finzel and Deep Creek Lake in Western Maryland.

He eventually would end up in the VA National Guard Reserve still flying Hueys, loving every minute in the air and sometimes loving even more getting back on the ground safe.

After 31 years of distinguished Military service he retired from the National Guard Reserve in 1999 as a Chief Warrant Officer 4 Instructor Pilot.

He worked as a driver for JL Tree Service and LabCorp. He also worked for Classic Printing Center in Chantilly, he was a Home Paramount pest control salesman and a census worker. He was known as the “The Toy Man” for many years, servicing more than 40 plush animal machines from Northern Va up to Western Maryland, Pennsylvania and West Virginia for Soft Toys Inc. A lot of those stops were American Legions, VFWs, and Moose lodges where he helped get the machines installed. Even working with Artel telecommunication company pulling various communication cables in local Bell Atlantic and Verizon server buildings with his son Jim. In recent years he continued on with another division of Advertising Associates, supplying a variety of promotional products for local businesses.

Eventually selling the property at Deep Creek Lake Maryland to buy a house down in St. Augustine Florida. So that his Dad James M. Price could live there as a tenant.

Throughout his life he was a very proud and active member of the American Legion Post 177, moving thru all officer positions except finance officer. He was a dedicated Post 177 Commander in 1981-1982 then again 1993-1996. He was involved in the Color Guard since he joined the Legion, marching in just about every function that he could. Coordinating the color guard activities for decades as Sgt @ Arms. On Nov 12, 2014 he was awarded a certificate for 30 years of service as Sgt @ Arms. Then on April 1, 2015 he was awarded for 43 years of involvement with the Post 177 Color Guard. He really took great pride in representing The American Legion in the Honor Guard for Parades, Memorial Services, Flag Retirement Ceremonies, POW/MIA Ceremonies, Honor Flights, Four Chaplins Services, various dedications, Grand Openings, Military Reunions, NARFE luncheons, presenting the Colors for The Pledge of Allegiance and National Anthem at Retirement Homes and Fairfax City events on Memorial Day and Veterans Day.

It was always his priority to ensure that our Veterans and our Nations Flag received the utmost respect they so deserve. He was also very proud of his service with the 17th District. He was 17th District Sgt @ Arms in 2011-12, two years as a Vice Commander, then Senior Vice Commander and eventually 17th District Commander in 2015-16. He was a member of Post 177 for 51 years and also a proud Sons of the American Legion Squadron 177 member for 18 years. Joining under his father Jim’s service.

Whenever he had a chance, he was meeting new Veterans. Thanking them for their Service and inviting them to join their local American Legion, VFW and Moose Lodge. John loved his family including our four legged furry ones throughout his life, he loved our great Country and he loved our American Legion Family.

He enjoyed his canned Budweiser, shooting pool, playing cards, darts, horseshoes, camping, canoeing, boating, water and snow skiing. He also enjoyed watching movies and tv shows from the past such as Columbo, Andy Griffith Show, Dragnet, Mission Impossible.

Also Air Disasters, Hunt for Red October, Crimson Tide, all Harrison Ford movies and old war movies, especially Midway, Run Silent Run Deep, Bridge on the River Kwai and The Green Berets, which were all his favorites.

On March 4, 2024 John passed peacefully at 7:32 am at his home with devoted wife and son, Sandy and James, present.

He is survived by his wife Sandy, son James and his wife Arlene Price.

Also sister Martha and her husband Kenny Conley.

There will be an American Legion Memorial Service and Celebration of Life held for CW4 John W. Price upstairs at Post 177 in Fairfax City, Virginia on Sunday April 21, 2024 at 1:00. We will be sharing through Facebook live on Members of American Legion Post 177 page for those that cannot attend.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association Scholarship Fund in memory of John Waitman Price at http:vhpa.org would be greatly appreciated. This is a program to benefits descendants of Vietnam Helicopter Pilots that are members of the VHPA.

We will also be having a Legion Memorial Service at the same time for Johns Dad, James M. Price, who passed in 2011. He was also a proud U.S. Army Veteran who served in Japan during WWII and an American Legion Post 177 Member. A heartfelt Final Tribute and Farewell for two generations of Prices that Proudly Served Our Country in the U.S. Army.