More detail on this person: Ulyess Douglas Price (Doug) , 77, passed away on November 08, 2025 following a day with his family. Born on February 19, 1948, he grew up in Spindale, North Carolina, swimming at the Spindale pool and getting burgers and Cokes from Keller's while his parents worked at Stonecutter Mill. He graduated from R-S Central High School in 1966 and enlisted in the United States Army. Over a thirty year military career, Doug became a paratrooper, completed Officer Candidate School (OCS) , completed flight school, flew Huey helicopter gunships in Vietnam, and survived being shot down three times. He earned the Distinguished Flying Cross to honor his acts of heroism and extraord inary achievement during aerial flight in Vietnam, the fourth-highest military decoration for valor. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He completed a multi-phase Special Forces Qualification Course (SFQC) that covers individual skills, language and culture, and specialized Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) traiining, frequently referred to as the Green Beret Training Program. Following the successful and prestigious completion of the SFQC he became a Special Operations Commander. As a Green Beret he joined the Green Beret Sport Parachute Team which involved demonstration jumps, such as opening the Indianapolis 500 and the Rose Bowl, as well as international competitions in Formation Skydiving, Accuracy Landin and Canopy Piloting. He was involved in covert and clandestine Special Operations from 1980-1983 at which time he joined the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) as an Officer in the Army's 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta (1st SFOD-D) task force unit.The unit is commonly known as Delta Force, an elite special operations forces u n it that conducts highly classified and complex operations. He retired from Delta Force and his militar y career as a decorated Lieutenant Colonel in 1990. After living in countries around the world, he returned to Rutherford County in 1990 with his teenage daughters. He managed the local Rutherford County Airport for several years before retiring from a full time career. Doug's hobbies and interests helped define who he was. He had many hobbies over the years. His love for·skiing, sailing, and NFL Football was something he shared with his children, and leaves a mark on us that will never fade. In retirement he enjoyed rebuilding and remodeling old cars and trucks, riding motorcycles, Shag dancing, and watching vintage cowboy movies. We find comfort in knowing that Doug's legacy lives on through us-in the lessons he taught us, the love he shared , the memories we will cherish forever, and the freedom that he fought for over his storied military career. ·. He is survived by his older sisters Barbara McCurry and Patricia Price in addition to his sister-in-law, Wanda Price, all of Rutherf ord County. Most recently he had been a resident of Statesville, North Carolina with his wife Barbara Kurfees Price who survives him . He enjoy ed being a step-father and step-grandfather to Barbara's children (Jennifer and Chris Simon, Natalie Kurfees and Chandley Robinson, and Robert Gray Kurfees, Jr.) and grandchildren (Georgiana, William, Jenna, and Max) who survive him. He is also survived by his daughter Julie Price and her son George Sanderlin of Guilford, Connectictt. And by his daughter Carmel Price, son-in-law Patrick Sanderson , and their children Owen and Ike Sanderson Price of Dearborn, Michigan. He was preceded in death by his parents, Owen and Elsie Price of Spindale, North Carolina and his brother Leroy Price and sister Debbie Bennett of Forest City, North Carolina. A Memorial will take place at Spencer Baptist Church on December 27th at 1:00 pm with a small gathering after in the Fellowship Hall. We hope you will join us to celebrate the life of the remarkable Lieutenant Colonel U. Doug Price. A burial ser vice will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a date that is still to be determined. Ulyess Douglas Price (Doug), 77, passed away on November 08, 2025 following a day with his family. Born on February 19, 1948, he grew up in Spindale, North Carolina, swimming at the Spindale pool and getting burgers and Cokes from Keller's while his parents worked at Stonecutter Mill. He graduated from R-S Central High School in 1966 and enlisted in the United States Army. Over a thirty year military career, Doug became a paratrooper, completed Officer Candidate School (OCS), completed flight school, flew Huey helicopter gunships in Vietnam, and survived being shot down three times. He earned the Distinguished Flying Cross to honor his acts of heroism and extraordinary achievement during aerial flight in Vietnam, the fourth-highest military decoration for valor. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
Burial information: Arlington Natiional Cemetery
This information was last updated 03/24/2026
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Date posted on this site: 04/18/2026
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