Leon Price

Leon M. Price, 91, of Ontario, Oregon, passed away peacefully on October 6, 2023, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on July 4, 1932, at the Boulevard Grange Hall in Ontario, Oregon to Raymond and Elsie (Mobley) Price. He attended schools in Harper, Jamieson, Willow Creek, and Vale Oregon. He married his wife of 69 years, Macie Eugenia Chronister (Jean) on June 3, 1954, of Hagarville, Arkansas. They returned to Oregon where together they raised three children: Denis, Gary, and Pamela.

Leon, after leaving high school, worked as a mechanic, a farmhand, and as a ranch hand at the Clover Creek Ranch out of Ironside, Oregon. In 1960 he started his own successful business, Leon Price Land Leveling and Subsoiling, which he continued to operate until his retirement. Beyond changing and improving the farming landscape around the Treasure Valley, he also built numerous roads and reservoirs, worked railroad derailments, and helped fight fires for the BLM. Additionally, he performed a great amount of heavy equipment repairs for the local farmers and ranchers throughout the years and well into retirement. Leon was actively engaged in his community coaching and sponsoring little league baseball, teaching hunter safety classes, and as a member and officer of the Boulevard Grange. 

Leon was a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend to many. He enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his seven grandchildren: Denise, LeeAnn, Tiffany, Aspen, Richard, Erika, and Christopher and his eight great grandchildren Hunter, Trapper, Charlotte, Anna, Clint, Isaiah, Olivia, and Maxwell. He loved hunting (particularly deer and pheasant), fishing with his brothers, sisters and children, camping, reading, and watching sports and Westerns. Leon was generous with his time and knowledge, always willing to help his family and friends. If something needed repaired, Leon was the person with the knowledge and abilities to fix it; he had a positive influence in so many lives. 

Leon was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Thelma (White), brothers Roy, Doyn, Red (William), and Norman. He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Macie Eugenia (Jean); his children; Denis (Rebecca) Price of Ontario, Oregon; Gary (Melanie) Price of Florence, Kentucky; Pam (Dino) Herrera of La Grande, Oregon; his grandchildren, great grandchildren; his sister; Melba (Jack) Zielke of Portland, Oregon; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

The family would like to thank the Ancora Health Services hospice team and the many caregivers at Brookdale Senior Living for their compassionate care and support during Leon’s final days. Leon fought a courageous long-term battle with Parkinson’s disease and in his words, “I have had a heck of a run boys”. Leon will be dearly missed by his family and all those who knew him.

There will be a celebration of life October 14th at the Boulevard Grange Hall in Ontario, Oregon beginning 11:30 am with lunch served immediately after the short service.  Online condolences may be shared at www.tamispinevalleyfuneralhome.com