More detail on this person: Mr. Price S.
Summerhill of Abbott died Tuesday, February 10,
2015, from complications of Alzheimer's. Price is
survived by his devoted wife, Josephine (Josie)
Berger Summerhill; loving daughter, Dawn
Summerhill Gulley and husband, John F. Gulley;
and several nieces and nephews, including Mitchell
R. Milner and Dacia L. Milner, son and daughter of
Lucille (Lucy) Berger Milner and Jerry M. Milner.
Price graduated as valedictorian from Abbott High
School in 1949, then attended Tarleton State
College and Texas A&M University, where he
graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in
agriculture education. While at A&M, he was in
ROTC and graduated as a second lieutenant. He
married Josie in 1953. Price joined the Air Force
following graduation from A&M, in which he proudly
served for 20 years as a helicopter pilot in air
rescue, retiring with the rank of major. Early in
their marriage, Josie's younger sister, Lucy
Berger (Milner), came to live with the family upon
the premature death of both of her parents. Price
and Josie became Lucy's legal guardians and
raised Dawn and Lucy during Price's military
career.
Price served tours of duty in Greenland, Vietnam
and Thailand. Stateside, he was stationed in
several Texas locations, Florida, Michigan and
Utah. He was also stationed in France and
England.
Price flew fixed wing aircraft for three years,
then flew helicopter aircraft for 17 years. He
loved flying; he was an instructor in the USAF
Helicopter School and taught many young
lieutenants to fly. He commanded Air Rescue
detachments on five different military bases in
the United States and overseas and served as
Aircrew Standardization Officer for Helicopters in
the USAF Helicopter School. He and those under
his command risked their lives to save downed
pilots in Vietnam in the worst imaginable
circumstances. Only in recent years would Price
mention the horrific scenes he and fellow
helicopter pilots encountered while stationed in
Vietnam. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal
for meritorious service, Air Force Commendation
Medal and Meritorious Service Medal for
outstanding meritorious service. Following
retirement from the USAF, his love of the land and
his heritage brought Price and Josie back to
Abbott. They entered agribusiness, which included
both farming and raising registered Brangus
cattle.
Price valued the hard work of his parents and
grandparents. There were many days he hand fed
calves, unfroze drinking water for cattle during
the winter and assisted cows with the birthing
process. Price and Josie would herd and vaccinate
cattle and attend to their health needs. Days were
long and hard, but Price did what he loved doing.
Price was outgoing and personable. He greatly
enjoyed the associations with his cousins, other
relatives, friends in high school and college, his
Air Force companions and friends in agribusiness.
Price was an officer and a gentleman in the truest
sense of the word. He honored business
commitments by handshakes and stood firm for his
beliefs. Price will be laid to rest at the
Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery with full Air
Force military honors.
Burial information: Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
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