Loss of a true servant

Fayette County Board of Education Chairman John Price, who died Tuesday of luekemia at the age of 62, was a true citizen servant.

Price became a public figure during his almost 13 years of service on the school board, the last seven as chair. But his engagement with the public schools and his commitment to improving life for children in Fayette County far predated that public role.

In 2004, when he first ran for a spot on the board — after being appointed the year before to fill out a term — Price had already been a volunteer in the district for 22 years. His involvement pre-dated the years his daughter was a student in the system and extended well after she had graduated from high school.

Price served on the board during a particularly tumultuous time that included several superintendents and a deeply critical state audit. Yet Manny Caulk, who was appointed superintendent last year, described Price as “a steady hand at the wheel.”

His devotion to his work continued even as he battled the disease that took his life. He continued to attend board meetings in 2014 and 2015 despite undergoing treatment, participating at times by remote hook-up when doctors warned him against appearing in public because of his depressed immune system.

We honor Price’s enormous and selfless contribution to our community and offer our condolences to his family.

This story was originally published February 24, 2016 at 7:16 PM with the headline "Loss of a true servant."