Wayne Price

Wayne Martin Price, of Moscow died Friday May 22, 2015 at Hospice House in Coeur d' Alene. He was 62. Wayne was born March 21, 1953 in Pittsburgh, PA to George and Marie Price. He grew up in Pittsburgh until High School when he attended Archbishop Stepinac High School in White Plains, NY graduating in 1971. In 1973, Wayne joined the U.S. Army where he served for 36 years before retiring in 2010. His military career began during the Vietnam era when he walked into the recruiters' office and signed up to be a helicopter pilot. In his back pocket was his notification that his lottery number had been selected for duty. He became a helicopter test pilot and air traffic controller. He was commissioned as a "mustang" and assigned to the Signal Corp as an intelligence officer. He served in some capacity in every military action since Vietnam. His last assignment was Chief of Coalition Communication for US CENTCOM. He served as a US liaison officer to England in charge of communications during the Falklands War and to Canada during military exercises exploring joint operations. He was decorated by several countries for his work; including Australia, New Zealand, Estonia, Bosnia, and Poland. Wayne was a graduate of the Marine Special Operations School in Quantico, VA and held a BS in Criminal Justice from Columbus State and a Juris Doctorate from the University Of Idaho School Of Law. On April 24, 2002, Wayne married his wife of 13 years Crystal Conrad, in Moscow. Wayne currently taught military history and business law at the U of I. Wayne loved to debate, often taking the opposing view, just to prolong the debate and frustrate his "opponent." He loved to cook, although never using a recipe, everything always turned out great. Wayne was a voracious reader and loved making models of WWII era landing craft and Coast Guard vessels. Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, George and Marie Price, his brother George Jr. and father-in-law Joe Conrad. He is survived by his wife Crystal at their Moscow home, sister Lorraine A. Price of Jackson, TN, step son Seth Cambron of Williston, N.D. and Brothers-in-law Ron (Judy) Conrad and Tom(Vonnie) Conrad and mother-in-law Leona Conrad all of Colfax, WA . Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 28, 2015 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Moscow burial will follow at the Onecho Cemetery in Whitman County. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made in Wayne's honor to St. Mary's School or a foundation of the giver's choice.