Obituary of John David Pryce

On Tuesday, May 29th, John “Jack” David Pryce passed away in Johnstown, PA, just 25 miles from where he was born, over a century ago, on the family farm in Cambria Township. Always passionate about lifelong learning, Jack graduated as valedictorian of the Ebensburg Cambria High School Class of 1934, going on to graduate from the University of Tulsa in 1940 in Engineering, and completing a senior executive program at MIT in 1959; he maintained a lifelong membership to MENSA and built a prodigious library. Jack Pryce put his great mind to work by doing his part in building this country, working for US Steel for nearly 40 years, in Homestead, Johnstown, and the headquarters in Pittsburgh. In 1942, he married Nancy Yarnall Davis, with whom he raised three daughters, and enjoyed 53 years of marriage until her death. He was also predeceased by his parents, Annie and Alan; his four siblings, Dick, Bob, Charlotte, and Harriet; and his eldest daughter, Nancy, Jr. He is survived by his wife of 21 years, Mercedes; his daughters, Christine (Ed) and Priscilla (Bob); his grandchildren, Ted, Liz, Nate, John, and Thomas; and his great-grandchildren, Nolan, Ely, Rohan, and Devraj. Jack was a pillar of his community, committed to service. He served in the U.S. Navy in 1945, he served as Treasurer of the First United Church of Christ, as a Cambria County Republican Committeeman, as President of the Salem Home-Coming Association, and as President of the Cambria County Historical Society. Jack loved to garden, was a proud member of the Freemasons, and could always beat you at a game of cards. His secret to such a long life, “Don’t eat to much, don’t drink too much, exercise regularly, and don’t worry!” Visitation will be from 3 to 6 p.m. on Friday, June 1 at Askew-Houser Funeral Homes, Inc., 300 N Julian St, Ebensburg. A service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 2 at The First United Church of Christ of Ebensburg, 217 E High St. Burial will follow at Lloyd Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Salem Home-Coming Association of Ebensburg, 304 Tripoli Road, Ebensburg, PA 15931, the Cambria County Historical Society, 615 N Center St, Ebensburg, PA 15931, or the Ebensburg United Church of Christ, 217 E High St, Ebensburg, PA 15931.