Ulyess Douglas "Doug" Price

LTC Ulyess Douglas Price (Doug), 77, of Statesville, NC passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 8, 2025, after a period of declining health.

Lieutenant Colonel Price, the son of the late William Owen Price and Elsie Mae Ford Price, was born on February 19, 1948, in Rutherford County, NC. He grew up in Spindale, NC, 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 was a member of the 240th Assault Helicopter Company, where he was a platoon commander. 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. He completed a multi-phase Special Forces Qualification Course (SFQC) that covers individual skills, language and culture, and specialized Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) training, 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 Landing, 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 unit that conducts highly classified and complex operations. He retired from Delta Force and his military career as a decorated Lieutenant Colonel in 1990. Upon retirement he was awarded the Legion of Merit.

After living in countries around the world, he returned to Rutherford County in 1990. 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, skiing, sailing, NFL Football and training and riding hunter jumper horses. In retirement he enjoyed rebuilding and remodeling old cars and trucks, riding motorcycles, and Shag dancing.

Most recently he had been a resident of Statesville, NC with his wife Barbara Kurfees Price who survives him. He enjoyed being a stepfather 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 Simon) of Statesville, NC who survive him. His brother-in-law, Eugene Vance Lackey of Taylorsville, NC, also survives.

In addition, he is survived by his daughter, Julie Price and her son George Sanderlin of Guilford, CT, and his daughter, Carmel Price, son-in-law Patrick Sanderson, and their children Owen and Ike Sanderson-Price of Dearborn, MI. He is survived by his older sisters, Barbara McCurry and Patricia Price, sister-in-law, Wanda Price, and brother-in-law, Jim Bennett all of Rutherford County, NC and numerous beloved nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother Leroy Price and sister Debbie Bennett of Forest City, NC.

We find comfort in knowing that Doug's legacy lives on through the love he shared, the memories we will cherish forever, and the freedom that he fought for over his military career.

In recognition of his honorable military service, interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at 1:00 pm.

Arrangements for Lieutenant Colonel Price are in the care of Troutman Funeral Home.