James Presson Jr.

GULF BREEZE, Fla. -- James Ellis Presson Jr., 84, of Gulf Breeze, formerly of Cairo, Illinois, died Friday, Aug. 11, 2017, at Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola, Florida.

He was born July 10, 1933, in Charleston, Missouri, the son of the late James and Margie Rothschild Presson. He married Louise Marie Grigsby on April 12, 1954, and she preceded him in death July 22, 2011.

He was a teacher, coach and school administrator, having worked in the Mascoutah, Waterloo and Freeburg, Illinois, school districts.

He was a graduate of Murray State University and received two advanced degrees from Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville.

Survivors include four sons, Stephen Presson of Gulf Breeze, Stan (Betsy) Presson of Columbia, Illinois, Stuart (Anne) Presson of Eastsound, Washington, and Stirling (Susanna) Presson of Columbia; brother, Joe (Chris) Presson of Pace, Florida; five grandchildren, Erin (Eric) Ladd, Daniel (Jessica) Presson, Andrew Presson, Matthew Presson and Savannah (Robert) Roth; and two great-grandchildren, Deacon and Bobby Roth.

In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Betty Schlechtweg.

Visitation for James E. Presson will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday at Crain Funeral Home in Cairo.

Funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Larry Buckles officiating. Interment will follow in Beechwood Cemetery in Mounds, Illinois.

To leave online condolences, visit www.crainsonline.com.