Gale Frederick Price

      Gale Frederick Price, age 75, of Ovid, MI, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 18, 2024, at the University of Michigan Health-Sparrow Lansing, with his four daughters by his side. 

      Gale was born December 23, 1948, to Emery and Elizabeth (Walter) Price. As a child he liked playing sports and working on cars with his dad. Gale joined the Army and served for 4 years, ending his service in 1974. In 1975, he married Marcia Chapko and together had four daughters who were his pride and joy. He always made it a point to introduce his love of baseball to his family by way of playing, coaching, umpiring, and taking them to a few Tigers Games. In addition to sports, Gale had extreme faith and throughout his life, his faith never wavered. Before his feet hit the ground each day, he asked God to take the urge to drink away so he didn’t have to deal with it on his own. He was so proud of his accomplishment of being sober for 39 years. He also made it a priority to start every day with a cup of coffee, his morning prayers, and listening to How Great Thou Art sung by Elvis Presley. He worked at General Motors his whole adult life and retired from there in 2004. 

    Gale truly loved life and chatting with those who were special to him. He guaranteed those he loved knew how much they meant to him and never missed calling on a holiday or ensuring his voice was on point to sing happy birthday. Whenever asked how he was, he always replied with, “I’m very special, thank you.” and he always ended his call with, “Have a great day because you deserve it!” 

    He is survived by his daughters: Shannon Thornton, Sabrina and Jeffery Longoria, Shilo Burgess and Michael Reno, Shelby aand Doug Pumford, grandchildren: Canyon, Chaycen, Noah, Kiah (TJ), Owen, Connor, Cash, Allie, Brady, Cooper, Ashley (JR), and Caleb. He is also survived by his sister Carol and Doug Fox, brother-in-law Donald Taylor, his bonus family, Chris and Lacey Tyler, their children: Bryce, Kyran, and Cohen and special neighbors The Witts. Gale is also survived by several nieces, nephews,cousins, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Harry Price, sister Mary Taylor, lifelong best friend Dick Loynes, and his little girl Nahla (Shih-Tzu).

     A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Holy Family Catholic Church, Ovid, MI, at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, June 22, 2024, with Rev. Fr. Anthony Brooks presiding. Burial will take place at Ford Cemetery Elba Township, MI. Visitation will be held on Friday, June 21, 2024, from 2-8 P.M. at Smith Family Funeral Homes - Houghton Chapel, Ovid, MI with a Rosary service and time of sharing at 7:30 P.M. Visitation will also be held on Saturday from 10:00 A.M. until the time of the service at the church. 

     Memorials may be made to the wishes of the family. Online condolences can be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes - Houghton Chapel, Ovid, Michigan.