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Rusty Herb Price, 45

The world lost a wonderful man on April 26, 2017. His family lost a husband, father, grandfather, son, brother and uncle. The community of Rathdrum lost a friend, a leader and a tireless volunteer on behalf of the young people who call Rathdrum home.

Rusty Herb Price was born on Jan. 4, 1972, in St. Maries, Idaho, to Curtis Lee Price and Mary Holstein Price. He graduated from Lakeland High School in 1990.

He earned a music scholarship to North Idaho College, and went on to graduate from the University of Idaho in 1995 with a degree in political science.

He married Brenda Lea Bradbury in 1998. His greatest joy was raising and providing for two exceptional young men: Ethan and Tucker, and later becoming a grandfather to Jayce and Aaliyah. He was very proud of his family. His face would light up whenever he would talk about how beautiful he thought Brenda was, or about the funny thing that Ethan or Tucker did or said.

Rusty was a man of many talents and varied interests. He obtained his pilot’s license at the age of 22. He loved to fly, and would volunteer to fly skydivers so he could get more hours under his belt. He was an excellent cook, working in many area restaurants while in college. He was famous for his pulled pork, artichoke dip and fettuccine alfredo. Tucker’s friends loved to spend the night at the Price house so they could eat Rusty’s fabulous breakfast the next morning! Rusty also had an interest in politics. During his college years, he was an aide to former Governor Cecil Andrus. He told some great stories of driving “Cece” around Boise in his old Lincoln.

Rusty’s greatest gift was his ability to form relationships and talk with people, which led to success in his job as an estimator for Coeur d’Alene Paving. He was approachable and friendly, so people were instantly drawn to him. His quick wit, and one liners, immediately put people at ease. Laughing until your stomach hurt was a common occurrence if you spent any time around Rusty Price!

Rusty was a proud community member, and he spent much of his own time volunteering. He was a member of the Little League Board, and the Northern Lakes American Legion Board. He spent hours upon hours making the Little League fields the most beautiful in the area, and painting an old school bus for the Legion baseball players. Whether it was getting donations from area businesses, planning fundraisers, or simply cooking hot dogs on game day, Rusty was the man. He loved helping the young people of his community.

Rusty is survived by his wife of 19 years, Brenda Lea Bradbury Price; his sons, Ethan Neil Bradbury and Tucker Austin Lee Price; his grandchildren, Jayce Gannon Bradbury and Aaliyah Ines Bradbury; his parents, Curtis Lee Price and Mary Holstein Price; and his sister, Laura Price Fawcett.

The family wishes to thank all the friends, neighbors, and the staff and students at Lakeland High School for their love and support during this difficult time.

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Monday, May 8, 2017, in the Jacklin Building at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds. There will be a potluck reception immediately following the service.

“It’s hard to forget someone who gave you so much to remember.”