Ray Price photo by Donn Jones, courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum.
Country music lost another legend when Ray Price passed away after a battle with pancreatic cancer on December 16. He was 87.
Country stars remember Ray Price >>
Ray was admitted to the hospital in early December due to complications from the cancer. Diagnosed in 2011, the cancer had spread to Ray’s liver, intestines and lungs despite aggressive measures. On December 12, Ray and wife of 45 years, Janie, decided not to pursue further treatment. Ray left East Texas Medical Center in Tyler, Texas for his home in Mt. Pleasant for home hospice care.
Through his wife, Ray issued a final statement to his fans:
“I love my fans and have devoted my life to reaching out to them. I appreciate their support all these years and I hope I haven’t let them down. I am at peace. I love Jesus. I’m going to be just fine. Don’t worry about me. I’ll see you again one day.”
Family spokesman Bill Mack, a Texas Country Music Hall of Fame disc jockey, released a statement on his Facebook page at the instruction of Ray’s wife, Janie following Ray’s passing on December 16. “Ray Price left for Heaven at 4:43 p.m. Central Time,” he wrote. “He went in perfect peace.”
Ray performed his last show this year in May. He has a new CD coming out and several tribute shows were being planned to celebrate his career, including one set for February 12, 2014 in Nashville.
