FLOYD AND PHYLLIS PRICE
Everyone knows Floyd and Phyllis….or do they? There are not many members of our congregation who have been in our church family for 45 years, and even less who have been as active in support of the Disciples church…..locally or regionally. Did you know that Floyd was born in Arkansas, and moved at age 13 to live with his uncle and to attend high school in Wichita? Phyllis also moved (with her parents) to Wichita as she was about to enter high school. After high school, they both attended Friends University which is where they met. After receiving their degrees from Friends, Phyllis taught school in elementary school in Marion for the next 10 years while Floyd was employed at Boeing for a year before being drafted into the Army. While working at Boeing, Floyd also completed his Masters degree in School Administration from Wichita State, and eventually taught in the Wichita school system for six years. Floyd’s aspiration was to become a school administrator in the Wichita school system…forever and ever. During these tumultuous years, Phyllis also completed her Masters Degree in Physical Education and Floyd got what was called a “specialist” degree from Peabody College, now a part of Vanderbilt, but then he and Phyllis moved to Norman, Oklahoma where he completed his PhD in Curriculum and Administration.
This brings us to 1963. Floyd and Phyllis moved to Manhattan where Floyd joined the faculty at Kansas State University, and Phyllis became a full time mother. After living on Fairchild street for the first five years, they purchased their home on 16th street where they currently reside. You must see their beautiful home. You would not imagine that the materials used to build this beautiful home were procured from Ft. Riley from the remains of the torn down WWI barracks. Is this an “old home” or what? There have been a few renovations, but mostly the home is as was originally built. Of course, it has been well maintained, and beautifully decorated.
Although the Prices didn’t purchase their first home in Manhattan until 1968, they purchased their first season football tickets when they arrived in 1963. They still hold season football tickets and attend every home game. It was a few years later before basketball tickets were available, but since then they have also become KSU basketball season ticket holders (both men and women). They must have one entire closet dedicated to purple clothes! Be sure to ask Floyd what Ahearn Field House was like when they started attending games there.
Floyd and Phyllis have two children and two grandchildren. Both Margaret and Charles were baptized at FCC Manhattan, and were very active in the youth groups and both enjoyed their church camp experiences. Margaret currently lives in Phoenix, AZ and Charles in Wichita, KS.
You all have seen the work that Floyd does for the church every Sunday morning. The gorgeous flower arrangements are mostly of his work and dedication. He enjoys this service to the church but would still like to have some help. Over the years Floyd and Phyllis have served as Elders, Deacons, Christian Education committee members, Church Librarian, Trustee, Meadowlark representative, CWF President, and regionally been on the Kansas Christian Home board and Camp board.
Fellow FCC family members – there is so much more to know about this dedicated family but you will have to take time to ask them about Floyd’s army experience, Phyllis’ teaching experiences, and what First Christian Church means to them. We have seen their dedication to us and we are deeply grateful for their service in our church. If you take time to visit with them, you will be both amazed and entertained by the stories.