Ray Price Enters Hospice Care
Posted/updated on: December 13, 2013 at 12:40 pm
TYLER — Country Music Hall of Fame member and American country music singer Ray Price, 87, leaves East Texas Medical Center in Tyler to go to his home in Mt. Pleasant for home hospice care. According to information from ETMC, Price was diagnosed in 2011 with pancreatic cancer, and despite aggressive treatment, the cancer has recently spread to his liver, intestines and now his lungs. He has been in and out of hospital care for the past few months and was recently readmitted with complications. Price and his wife of 45 years, Janie, have decided to not pursue any further aggressive treatment.
“Ray is alert and aware of his surroundings and making decisions,” said Janie. “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.”
Price wanted to give 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.”
Janie thanks the fans for all of their love and messages and wanted to let the fans know the best way to send them a note is on their Facebook page or you can mail a card to:
Ray Price, P.O. Box 1986, Mt. Pleasant, TX 75456.
Price performed his last show this year in May. He has a new CD coming out and several tribute shows were already being planned to celebrate his career. One is set for Feb. 12 in Nashville.
“Ray and I want to thank our dear friends Billie and Tom Perryman and Bill Mack. I want to thank everyone at ETMC who have provided an environment of care for me and Ray including administration, marketing, our physicians, nurses, security, food services and the chaplain and so many more. A special thank you to Dr. Scott Wright, who ever so patiently and with great compassion, has led me gently through the process of accepting the inevitable. Thank you and continue to keep Ray in your prayers.”
