ROBERT SPENCER PRESSON, age 98, a resident of Charleston died Friday, July 3, 2015 at the Charleston Manor.

He was born January 27, 1917 in Dogwood to the late William Luter and Mary Ellen McClendon Presson. He had lived in Mississippi County his entire life where he was a 67 year member of the First Church of God in East Prairie. He was employed with Brown Shoe Company in Charleston until enlisting in the U.S. Army Air Force in June 1941, prior to the start of WW II in December of that year. He was discharged in August 1945 as a Technical Sergeant having serving as an Aerial Engineer in C-47 troop carriers in the European Theatre. In addition to his responsibilities for ground mechanical functioning of planes, he also made emergency repairs during flight, cared for injured soldiers being flown out of battle, and flying behind enemy lines to assist ground soliders for which he received two Air Medals and a Distinguished Flying Cross in recognition of his heroism.
Returning home, he resumed his employment at Brown Shoe Company. In 1958, he began his career as an officer with the East Prairie Police Department then in 1960, took a position with the Charleston Department of Public Safety where he retired as a Captain in 1982. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and camping in the woods.


On November 3, 1945 he married Evelyn Thomas who survives of the home.

Also surviving is one son and daughter in law, Jim and Marion Presson of rural Charleston; and two grandsons, James Jeffery (Elaine) Presson and James Robert Presson Jr. all of San Antonio, TX; three great grandchildren; one great great granddaughter; also many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded by four brothers, Chancey Presson, Paul Presson, Gilbert Presson, and Harold Presson; and three sisters, Janet Fussell, Helen Taylor and Nettie Lloyd.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 5, 2015, at the McMikle Funeral Home where the Memorial Service will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Larry Smith of East Prairie will officiate.

Missouri Military Honor Guard will conduct Honor Rites at the conclusion of the chapel service.

Memorial contributions may be given to:

American Cancer Society, 106 Farrar Suite 104, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701.

First Church of God, 215 S. Washington, East Prairie, MO 63845

Shining Light Mission c/o Dean Wallace, 204 Court Street, Charleston, MO 63834

Herb & Nina Marshall Scholarship Fund, Tammy Brown - Citizens Bank, P O Box 130, Charleston, MO 63834.