Ray Price Returning Home to Receive Hospice Care at Ranch
Country music legend Ray Price is heading to his ranch in Mount Pleasant, TX after an extended stay at the hospital to spend his final days at home according to doctors and Ray’s wife Janie. Ray has been at the East Texas Medical Center in Tyler, TX, dealing with complications from a long fight with pancreatic Cancer. Ray was discharged from the hospital today (12-12-13). Janie Price says Ray chose to spend his final days on his “beloved ranch surrounded by the comfort of his home, family and friends.”
Ray was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in November of 2012 and began receiving radiation treatment. By February of 2013, the cancer was in remission and Ray was back performing, but the Cancer came back, and complications from the treatment have kept Ray in and out of the hospital for the majority of the year. Earlier this year, Ray was given the choice to have surgery that would place him permanently in a nursing home, and elected to forgo the procedure.
In May, Ray was admitted to the hospital for Post Radiation Syndrome, giving the country music singer extreme diarrhea and resulting in the loss of too many fluids. Ray was later discharged, but was then re-admitted to the hospital for a severe bacterial infection in his blood line, known as sepsis, in October.
Ray has released a final message to his fans:
I love my fans and have devoted my life to reaching out to them. I appreciate their support all these years and I hope I haven’t let them down. I am at peace. I love Jesus. I’m going to be just fine. Don’t worry about me. I’ll see you again one day.
His wife Janie has also released a message:
Ray is alert and aware of his surroundings and making decisions. With God’s blessing he has not had extreme pain. But it’s with great sadness that I announce to you today that my beloved husband has entered the final stages of his cancer that he has battled for 25 months. Anyone who knows Ray is aware that he has strong convictions and great faith in God. It’s his decision to leave the hospital and return home to spend his final days on his beloved ranch surrounded by the comfort of his home, family and friends.
Ray Price was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1996, has two Grammys, two ACM Awards, and a CMA Award for Album of the Year from 1971. Ray continued to perform all the way up to this year. His most well-known songs include “Crazy Arms”, “Heartaches by the Number”, “Release Me”, “For the Good Times”, and “Night Life” written by his good friend, Willie Nelson. Ray Price released of 50 albums, and had eight #1 singles throughout his storied country music career.
December 12, 2013 @ 2:35 pm
God Bless Ray Price and his family. I’m touched by his faith and his strength during this time. His musical leagecy will never be duplicated nor forgotten.
December 12, 2013 @ 2:39 pm
Linger long on the memories…
December 12, 2013 @ 4:01 pm
“I appreciate their support all these years and I hope I haven”™t let them down.”
That line kills me right there…the last thing Ray Price has done is let his fans down.
December 12, 2013 @ 4:59 pm
Such sad news. One of the last living links to the golden era of country music.
December 12, 2013 @ 5:30 pm
My thought and prayers go out to Mr. Price and his entire family-especially his wife Janie. My heart breaks for all of them. I have been a fan for many years. Mr. Price, you are dearly loved and will be greatly missed by your countless fans. May God bless you and Janie as only he can.
December 12, 2013 @ 5:37 pm
2013 has not been kind to country music greats.
Prayers to the family!
December 12, 2013 @ 7:25 pm
This is another old fart that will surely be missed. I wonder how B.S. will react once he passes.
December 13, 2013 @ 8:43 am
It’s time to let it go.
December 14, 2013 @ 7:45 am
Bbbblll-t-t-t-t!
December 12, 2013 @ 9:38 pm
It’s bad enough we already lost George Jones and Randy Travis may never sing again. Rough year.
December 12, 2013 @ 9:43 pm
God bless Ray Price. I hope your last days are sweet and painless.
December 12, 2013 @ 10:27 pm
Ray Price’s career runs virtually the entire history of country music. Upon his death Hank Williams’ band went to work for a young Ray Price. From those days through his sixties Nashville Sound days he has been a giant in the industry. Hopefully his final days will be peaceful and pain free.
December 13, 2013 @ 8:41 am
God Bless him and his family at this time.
December 13, 2013 @ 10:39 am
may ur last days be peaceful. u r a great man !!!!!!! , v.
December 13, 2013 @ 11:25 am
Peace be with you and your family Mr. Price.
No one loses to cancer. Sometimes we need to go home with God to beat it, and that is what is happening here. Enjoy your eternity!
December 13, 2013 @ 11:41 am
I can’t believe how bad this year has been for country music legends. My thoughts and prayers go out to Ray and his family.
December 14, 2013 @ 7:54 am
I refuse to accept this. It aint over…til’ it’s over! Speedy healing Ray Price!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
December 15, 2013 @ 12:12 pm
“I love my fans and have devoted my life to reaching out to them. I appreciate their support all these years and I hope I haven”™t let them down” If you don’t love Ray Price for his music, you gotta love him after reading that!
December 16, 2013 @ 9:15 pm
When I was skiing as a kid, they played Ray Price’s music over the loud speakers.
I’ll never forget making my way down the hill listening to Ray Price and Charlie Rich. I can remember it like it was yesterday.
Music makes every minute of your life special. Ray Price has world class charm and talent. Not only did I hear him on the ski hill, but the parents were playing Ray Price tapes as they gave the kids a ride home. Linger long on the good memories.