Michael George Price

Michael George Price, age 83, of Madison, passed away peacefully and surrounded by family, on September 9, 2024, after a 4-year battle with neurodegenerative disease. He will be fondly remembered for his thoughtfulness, his intellectual curiosity, his honesty, his witty sense of humor, his hands-on know-how, his kindness, his determination, and his genuine desire to make the world a better place.

Mike, as he became known, was born in Milwaukee on January 18, 1941, the son and middle child of Michael (Prica) Price and Lena Marie (Reber) Raduege. He spent his boyhood joking around with neighborhood friends, building models in his room, scouting, and learning to fish and swim at his family’s cottage on Lake Ellen. Later, as a teenager, he worked at his family’s restaurants doing everything from cooking burgers to mopping floors. He attended Rufus King High School and graduated from South Milwaukee High School in 1959, after moving there for his senior year. He attended college at UW-Milwaukee, where he majored in economics, participated in the Army ROTC program and was president of his fraternity, Tau Kappa Epsilon. He earned his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Wisconsin Law School in 1966.

Following law school and getting married to his former wife, Gail (Osborn) Price, he served four years as a Captain in the U.S. Army, Judge Advocate General’s Corp. Stationed in Virginia, this was the only time he lived outside of Wisconsin. Upon discharge, he returned to Madison with Gail to raise their family, and to begin his career as an attorney. He dedicated his legal practice to ethics enforcement—working first for the State Bar of Wisconsin and later for the Wisconsin Supreme Court, Board of Attorneys Professional Responsibility. Mike and Gail divorced after having two children together.

Mike remarried in 1982, to Mary (Mead) LaMar, and took his life in a new direction. He ended his legal career and dedicated his time to vegetable gardening, home building projects and exploring spirituality. He supported environmental preservation through organic farming, energy-efficient construction, and sustainable forestry. Together with Mary, he found meaning and solace in Sufism, traveled and engaged in philanthropy.

In 2001, at the age of 60, he launched Visionary Medical Supplies, Inc., a small business committed to making high-quality cataract surgical products and ophthalmic supplies more affordable around the world. After growing and running the company for 18 years, he sold it in 2019 and finally retired.

He was buried on Saturday, September 21, 2024, at the Natural Path Sanctuary in Verona, Wisconsin.

Mike was predeceased by his parents; his older sister, Joyce (Price) Dettmers; and his stepdaughter, Sarah (Stone) Cordova.

He is survived by his wife, Mary M. (Mead) LaMar; his sons, Michael D. Price and Matthew W. LaMar; his daughter, Jennifer R. (Price) Bowers; his stepsons, N. Stewart Stone and Timothy S. Stone; his younger sister, Karen (Price) Harrison; and his grandchildren, Spencer, Mira, Theo and Nicholas.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 23, 2024, at the Cress Center, 6021 University Avenue, Madison at 1:00 p.m. Family will greet friends from 12:30 p.m. until the time of service. A reception will follow.

For those not able to attend the service in person, you may view the service via live stream by registering at the following link:  https://event.forgetmenotceremonies.com/ceremony?c=af7a985b-fa20-41d1-85b6-455d9558347c

In lieu of sending flowers, memorial trees may be planted or gifts may be made to Habitat for Humanity of Dane County (please visit: https://habitatdane.org/ ) in memory of Michael G. Price.

Please share your memories of Michael by posting in his Guestbook.

Cress Funeral Services

6021 University Avenue, Madison

(608) 238-8406