Obituaries
By Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, December 16, 2007
Bodley Booker Jr., founder, Booker Price Co.
Louisville, Ky. — Bodley Booker Jr., chairman and founder of wholesale furniture distributor Booker Price Co. here, has died. He was 89.
A retired Army brigadier general, Booker served in World War II. His decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Commendation Medal and the Combat Infantry Badge.
After the war, Booker joined wholesale hardware company Peaslee-Gaulbert Corp., where he became general sales manager and director, before leaving to form Booker-Price Co. in 1958. His leadership in the furniture industry was recognized in 1992 when he was elected to the Distributors Hall of Fame of the International Wholesale Furniture Assn. and received its Distinguished Service Award.
He is survived by his wife, a daughter, two sons, a grandson, two step-grandchildren and a sister. His son Stephen B. Booker is vice-chairman and buyer at Booker-Price, and his son John C. Booker is president.
Memorial gifts may be made to the Filson Historical Society, 1310 S. Third St., Louisville, Ky., 40208; the Boy Scouts of America; or a charity of the donor's choice.
Eddie Vale Sr., Furniture Factory Outlet
Killeen, Texas — Eddie Vale Sr., former owner of Furniture Factory Outlet here, has died at the age of 93 after two years of declining health.
Vale owned the store from 1964 to 1994, when he retired.
Survivors include his wife, Marilyn Vale, who worked alongside him at the furniture store, and five children. His son Eddie Vale Jr. owns Patriot Furniture stores in Killeen, Waco and Copperas Cove, Texas. His daughter Sandra Skinner owns an Ashley Furniture HomeStore in Killeen, Texas, and another son and daughter work for her.
