November 11, 2021
Craig Tyler Price, age 59, of Smithville died of a massive heart attack on Tuesday, November 9, at St. Thomas DeKalb Hospital. He was born in Portsmouth, Ohio, on November 9, 1962, to Harold “Tony” and Judy (Parker) Price. When Craig was 12, his family moved from Dayton, Ohio, to Smithville, the home of his mother’ s extended family. He graduated from DeKalb County High School in 1981 and continued his education at Nashville State Technical Institute, earning an Associate Degree in computer science. Craig had developed a passion for computers as a youngster, an interest he inherited and shared with his father who was an early master of applied computer technology.
After his graduation from Nashville Tech, Craig was employed by Federal Mogul and had a fulfilling career there for 28 years. He managed the computer program, first in Smithville and eventually becoming the Information Systems Coordinator for the entire Southeast region of the U.S.. In 2016 he went to work for Amazon where he was employed at the time of his death.
Craig was known by his family and friends as a “neatnik.” From an early age he always wanted to look well put together. He took neatness to the extreme, to the point that he insisted on ironing his own clothes. His persnickety-ness did not go unnoticed. He was elected “Neatest” boy in the class by his fellow seniors.
In addition to spending time on the computer, Craig enjoyed hiking and working outdoors. He kept his parents’ house and yard in pristine condition. In recent years he developed a fascination with cooking. It was his tradition that every Monday night, he would prepare family dinner, surprising his guests with his gourmet meals. Another activity that gave Craig satisfaction was his work with young people. For several years he worked with the Salem Baptist Youth Group and later he taught the youth Sunday School class at Crosspoint Church in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee.
Craig was preceded in death by his grandparents, Bailey and Johnnie (Hill) Parker and Charles and Edna Price; aunts Lucy Parker and Charlotte (Price) Mayo; uncle Charles Price, Jr.
Survivors include his son, Dr. Christopher Price, and daughter, Lydia Price (Will Taylor); parents,
Judy and Harold “Tony” Price; grandchildren, Brantley Brooks and Willow Grace Taylor (all of Smithville); a sister, Mary (Sergei) Chubenko; great niece, Alana and great nephew Eli (all of Murfreesboro); maternal aunts, Anet Parker Lockwood and Karen Parker Hendley (both of Michigan); the mother of his children, Meshia (Rigsby) Johnson; and numerous cousins.
The family will receive friends at DeKalb Funeral Chapel, beginning at 12:00 noon Friday, November 12 with a service following at 2:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the DeKalb Animal Coalition or to the charity of one’s choice.
The funeral home lounge is closed at this time and no food or drinks are allowed in the funeral home. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.