Price’s Point Memorial Reef

16 Florida Limestone Modules and Steel Cross (40’x25’x10′)

“A priceless man is someone who is invaluable and delightfully amusing.  That’s how I think of Price each and every day: PRICELESS!!!”

Merritt Newell,

Price’s Sister

Price Thornal was born to be on the water. “When he was young, he would walk up and down St. Teresa Beach looking for someone going out on a boat to take him fishing,” remembers his Dad, Mike Thornal. “He got his boating license at age 12 and would spend all day tooling around in the “PT Cruiser,” his little boat. He loved the ocean so much that during spring break his freshman year at Ole Miss, he came back to St. Teresa and met up with several high school friends. Two weeks later, he was killed in a car accident.”

Ironically, the Thornals were close friends with the Reddings and cousins to the Camps, both families who had lost sons and created memorial reefs in their honor. “The idea for the reef was a natural,” said Mike. “We just felt this was a way to eternalize Price’s memory by giving people a place to go somewhere and do what Price loved more than just about anything.”

The family chose to host a fishing tournament in honor of Price to fund the $35,000 project. The entire cost of the reef was raised in the first year—a testament to the number of people touched by Price. The second tournament funded a scholarship in his name at Leon High School, his alma mater, and subsequent funds raised will help other charitable organizations Price was involved in. The family is also hoping to honor Price in some way at Ole Miss. “Price never met a stranger, was wise beyond his years, and lived his life as an example for others to follow,” said his sister, Merritt Newell.

Price’s Point is a unique project for OAR because it is located much closer to shore than other projects, about seven miles due south of the family’s beach house. “The family wanted to give people who don’t have really big boats an opportunity to fish closer to the beach,” said Alan Richardson, OAR executive director. In addition to standard structures, Price’s Point features a surprise element that reflects Price’s personality in the form of a large iron cross.

“Our hope is that one day, when Price’s friends have children who love to fish, they will take them there and tell their children about Price,” said Mike. “He was loved by many, and he didn’t know a stranger. He didn’t care where you came from, what your skin color was, what kind of car you drove, or how old you were. Price was a friend, brother, uncle, beloved son, grandson, Eagle Scout, Leon Lion, Ole Miss Rebel, and most importantly, a Christian.”

For more information, visit www.pricespoint.org.