OBITUARY
Roscoe Price was born on November 5, 1927, in Providence Kentucky, to the late Dewy Price and Lasteria Curry. He departed this life on March 21, 2023, and received full citizenship into heaven. He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy Pearl Price; his daughters, Cheryl Price and Moya Hurt and his sister, Cornelia Mae who is known as Aunt Connie.
Roscoe grew up in Louisville, Kentucky where he developed his love for baseball. He was a graduate of Central High School in Louisville Kentucky. while in Kentucky at a church dance, It was there that he met his first true love, the love of his life, Dorothy Pearl Price. They were united in Holy Matrimony for many, many years, and to their union were 6 children.
At an early age, Roscoe accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior and continued to serve him throughout his life. Roscoe Price was a man of service, to the Lord, in business, and to his family and community.
Roscoe Price was a pitcher and left fielder for the Black Coloners, a team affiliated with the Negro Southern Association. In Grand Rapids, he played with Grand Rapids Blacksox and Grand Rapids Sullivan’s team. Roscoe’s love for the game of baseball was often quoted as “I just loved playing professional baseball.” Roscoe received a proclamation from the City of Grand Rapids, MI in June of 2000 for being one of the Negro Baseball Legends who demonstrated their talents and abilities on the field, as well as off the field within the community.
One of Roscoe’s first jobs after relocating to Grand Rapids, MI was at Maple Grove Veterans Home. He later became employed at Reyolds Metal where he retired. Roscoe, being the hard worker that he was, later became employed at Hope Network where he retired again.
Roscoe’s service includes the military, both Marine and the United States Army. He served as a Marine in World War II and later served in the US Army during the Korean War. Roscoe was the lead organizer for poll voting registration and a Watkins Representative. He was affectionately known as the “Watkins Man”. There was nothing that Roscoe Price could not sell. Roscoe loved to drive all over the countryside. You could count on him driving to the Watkins Convention every July; numerous trips to Shipshewana; farmer markets on Wednesdays and Saturdays and Trufant Michigan on Thursdays. He served at Messiah as a Trustee for many years. He was honored as being one of the oldest living members of Messiah.
Roscoe was about his business, his faith, his family, and his money. Roscoe’s hard work, and work ethic lead him to dress to impress. You would often catch him in a suit, but you would know he was sharp when he finished it off with a “hat.” Roscoe will forever be known as a “Man of service.”
He leaves to cherish his memory; his children, two daughters, Donna Campbell, and Denise Price; two sons, Kevin (Minnie) Price, Sr., Keith (Aloha) Price; several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and a host of relatives and friends.