PRESLEY

Augustus Randolph “Randy” Presley, Jr., 90, died on July 31. Randy was born in Mount Pleasant on March 6, 1930. He attended public schools in Mount Pleasant, graduating from high school in 1947. As a teenager, he snuck off to take flying lessons and first soloed a Piper Cub on April 8, 1946, and continued flying for over 60 years. He attended The University of Texas at Austin, where he was a member and president of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. After graduating in 1951, he entered boot camp at Lackland Air Force Base in June.

Randy married his high school sweetheart, Janet Martin, in 1952, while an aviation cadet at Bryan AFB. They welcomed their daughter, Cynthia Ann in 1953 while Randy was flying combat missions over Korea. Randy flew 55 combat missions earning the Distinguished Flying Cross and three Air Medals. He returned to Luke AFB in 1954 as an instructor in F-84 combat crew training and was discharged in 1955.

After returning to Mount Pleasant he joined his father in the family wholesale grocery business, and the family added two sons, Jeffrey Martin and John Randolph. Randy’s love of flying continued in Mount Pleasant, where he owned several airplanes and became active in the Mount Pleasant Airport Board, serving as its first chairman in 1959 and continuing in that role for 50 years. He served as directors and officers in various civic and industrial foundations and served as President of the Texas Wholesale Grocery Association.

Randy was selected as one of the first Air Force Academy Liaison Officers in 1960 and remained active in the USAF Reserves in that capacity until 1990, advancing to the rank of Lt. Colonel. He was director and chief formation check pilot for the North American Trainer Association from 1988 until 2007. Randy was an Honorary Lifetime Vice-President of the University of Texas Dad’s Association, and a trustee for the Snow Hill Cemetery Association. He was especially proud to be a founding, charter member of St. Andrew United Methodist Church, where he was treasurer for 17 years.

After the wholesale grocery business closed, Randy became a corporate pilot for Hinton Drilling Company in Mount Pleasant, and later for a highway construction company in Paris. During his lifetime, Randy logged more than 12,000 hours of flight. He probably logged almost as many hours piloting the family ski boat pulling his children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and friends skiing at Glass Club Lake. Randy also enjoyed many years in the Brangus cattle business.

Randy was married to Jan for over 50 years until her death in 2005. He later married Sheryl McKelvy Moore Mason and they enjoyed over 14 years together. They especially enjoyed their travels and feeding and observing the menagerie of wildlife at their country home.

Randy is survived by his wife, Sheryl, of Mount Pleasant; his daughter, Cindy McWhorter & husband Tom, of Dallas; son, Jeff & wife, Laurette, of Houston; and son, Jack & wife, Lesa of Leesburg; grandchildren: Cindy’s children, Sarah McWhorter; Jeff McWhorter & wife, Kelly; Jeff ’s children, Caroline Presley & wife, Elizabeth Ann; Joseph Presley & wife, Betsy; Stephen Presley & wife Kati; Robert Presley & wife Chelsea; Jack’s children, Kevin Presley & wife, Rikki, and Laura Presley; and 11 great-grandchildren.

Randy is also survived by Sheryl’s sons, Tres Moore & wife, Jan; Clint Moore & wife, Tina; and Todd Moore & wife, Deidi; and 4 grandchildren, Dylan Moore, Jake Moore & wife Shelby; and Zachry & Ryan Moore.

The family would like to acknowledge with appreciation Randy’s caregivers, LaJuana Sansom, Ashley Yandle & Crystal Horton, as well as Randy’s cousin, Suzy Hunt Boatner, for the care and kindness they provided.

Services will be at St. Andrew United Methodist Church in Mt. Pleasant at 10 a.m. Saturday, August 8, followed by burial at Snow Hill Cemetery. Due to the current situation, face masks will be required at the services. For those desiring, memorial donations may be made to St. Andrew United Methodist Church General Fund, 2019 N. Edwards Avenue, Mount Pleasant, 75455.

Online registry is available at batescoopersloanfuneralhome.com.