Photographer Verlin Melton Price, Jr., who became a beloved figure in the community while shooting photos over several decades for The Glenwood Herald, died Sunday, July 5. He was 82. 

Price was a familiar face on the sidelines at school athletic contests, capturing action shots for the newspaper and selling his photos at a very nominal cost to athletes and their families. 

“He was prolific in the photos that he took,” said Kara Oosterhous, whose sons Zach, Nate and Ben participated in different sports in recent years while attending Centerpoint High School. “As a parent sitting in the stands, it was always nice to be able to focus on the game and not have to worry about capturing the moment at the same time because you knew that Verlin was always going to be the one capturing those photos.”

At subsequent games, she said, Price would be there with prints of the photos, selling them for $1 each to parents. 

“But there were many times that I’m sure he took less and I’m sure some people gave more. It was a sweet thing,” Oosterhous said. 

News of Price’s death on The Glenwood Herald’s Facebook page prompted an outpouring of tributes. 

Many people said he had a gift for capturing life’s moments with quality photos that became cherished by families. Price took the time to learn the names of kids and their jersey numbers. In some cases, he shot photos of multiple generations within the same families. It was written that Price took pride in his work and it brought him great joy. 

In an era when most people take digital photos that might not be around decades from now, Oosterhous said it’s nice having tangible images. 

“We all have shoe boxes of pictures at home that we probably would not have otherwise. I know at least for me, I have a ton of photos on my camera, but I wouldn’t have any prints if it weren’t for Verlin,” she said.

He was remembered for his friendly personality, always saying hello to those he knew and always having stories to tell. Price volunteered to help wherever needed, including at high school concession stands. One commenter described him as “the popcorn popper of all popcorn poppers.”

It’s clear he touched the lives of a lot of people. 

According to his obituary,  which appears on Page 3 of this newspaper, Price was a retired truck driver who moved to Glenwood in the mid-1990s and began a second career as a professional photographer.

In addition to different kinds of sports — home and away games — Price also photographed parades and other major events throughout the region, including races at Thunder Mountain Super Speedway in Caddo Gap.

Visitation is scheduled for Friday, July 10 from 2 to 3 p.m. at Smith Family Funeral Home Chapel in Glenwood.