Update/complete obituary: This was published today Dec. 13, 2015.
PRESSLER, Gary Norman Feb. 6, 1944 Nov. 20, 2015 Gary Norman Pressler, beloved husband, father, grandfather, colleague and friend, died on November 20, 2015, of cancer. He was surrounded by family and friends and in the devoted care of the nurses and staff of the 10th (transplant) floor of the Roberts Building at Baylor Hospital in Dallas. With his characteristic sense of humor, he joked that this was the second best way to go other than after hitting a hole-in-one at the Bridlewood Golf Course. Gary was born in Mobridge, South Dakota, on February 6, 1944, and raised in nearby Selby (pop. 800). He was shaped from an early age by the small-town values that he honored all his life. Great-Grandson of German immigrant farmers, Gary grew up where everyone was a friend and everyone's participation was required. He had a strong tenor voice and loved to sing, in family sing-alongs, high school chorus, college choir, the Naval Air Training Command Choir, the local community choir, and soloing at his older son Adam's wedding. He seldom passed up an opportunity to sing and as an airline pilot for Delta, he was known to lead passenger sing-alongs on Christmas flights. After graduating in a class of 17 from Selby High School where he was a talented athlete, Gary earned a degree in history in 1966 from Augustana College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He married Mary Lee, his college sweetheart, on June 6, 1966, and joined the Navy the following September. After earning his Navy wings in the spring of 1967, he did a tour of duty in Vietnam with the VA-86 Sidewinders, where he flew 130 missions in A-7 aircraft off the USS Coral Sea. During his six years of service, Gary made over 300 carrier landings, earning 13 air medals and a Unit Citation. He was a jet flight instructor with the VT-9 squadron in Meridian, Mississippi, until leaving the Navy in 1972. He then began a 31-year career with Delta Airlines, retiring in 2003 as a captain. He thought he had the best job in the world as a pilot until he became an "Opa" to Grant, Micah and Grace starting in 2003. In 1975, Gary, Mary and the boys moved to Flower Mound, Texas, then a community of about 2,000. From 1976 to 1984, Gary served on the water board, town council, and two terms as mayor. Gary provided leadership and vision that laid the groundwork for the infrastructure that now supports a community of more than 68,000. In 1997, Gary was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, an autoimmune disease that had claimed his mother's life. It launched a series of "medical miracles" that included a double lung transplant in 2006. Gary was forever grateful for this life-extending gift, and with his customary graciousness he embraced the family of his donor, Christopher Bonner. He was also grateful to all of the talented and caring medical staff at Baylor Hospital, especially his long-time pulmonologist and friend, Dr. Ken Ausloos. As a transplant recipient, Gary made it his personal mission to advocate for organ donation. He visited transplant patients and spoke to numerous groups, most recently nursing students at Navarro Junior College in Waxahachie in September. His final act of generosity was to donate his body to the Willed Body Program at UT Southwestern Medical School. Gary was much loved among his friends at King of Glory Lutheran Church in Dallas. A member since 1973, he was active as a church council member, Sunday school teacher and small group leader. His strong community of faith encouraged him in spiritual growth and nudged him out of his comfort zone to embrace all people with equanimity, equality and love. Gary was never afraid of dying, and he never stopped living. He often said the transplant gave him the gift of time to be "Opa" to his much-loved grandchildren and to continue to play golf. And then with a twinkle in his eye, he'd quickly echo a refrain from pilot days, "I love my life; I love my wife." Gary is survived by his wife of 49 years, Mary Lee Pressler of Flower Mound; his sons Adam and wife Jennifer of Dallas and Noah and wife Ryann of Flower Mound; three grandchildren, Micah, Grant and Grace; brothers Denny Pressler and wife Bea of Eloy, Arizona, and Tim Pressler and wife Becky of Portland, Oregon; brothers-in-law Steve Covalt, Ron Lee, and John Lee and wife Susan; sisters-in-law Evon Lee, Ramona Scarth and Lori Mickelson; and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Emanuel Emil and Eleanore Kent Pressler, and his sister, Valerie Covalt. Memorial services will be at 1:00 p.m. Monday, December 28, at King of Glory Lutheran Church, 6411 LBJ Freeway, Dallas. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Southwest Transplant Alliance at 5489 Blair Rd, Dallas, TX 75231 or www.organ.org.
Published in Dallas Morning News on Dec. 13, 2015
~ IN MEMORY ~
Gary Norman Pressler(1944 - 2015)
PRESSLER, Gary Norman Feb. 6, 1944 Nov. 20, 2015 Gary Norman Pressler, beloved husband, father, grandfather, colleague and friend, died on November 20, 2015, of cancer. He was surrounded by family and friends and in the devoted care of the nurses and staff of the 10th (transplant) floor of the Roberts Building at Baylor Hospital in Dallas. With his characteristic sense of humor, he joked that this was the second best way to go other than after hitting a hole-in-one at the Bridlewood Golf Course. Gary was born in Mobridge, South Dakota, on February 6, 1944, and raised in nearby Selby (pop. 800). He was shaped from an early age by the small-town values that he honored all his life. Great-Grandson of German immigrant farmers, Gary grew up where everyone was a friend and everyone's participation was required. He had a strong tenor voice and loved to sing, in family sing-alongs, high school chorus, college choir, the Naval Air Training Command Choir, the local community choir, and soloing at his older son Adam's wedding. He seldom passed up an opportunity to sing and as an airline pilot for Delta, he was known to lead passenger sing-alongs on Christmas flights. After graduating in a class of 17 from Selby High School where he was a talented athlete, Gary earned a degree in history in 1966 from Augustana College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He married Mary Lee, his college sweetheart, on June 6, 1966, and joined the Navy the following September. After earning his Navy wings in the spring of 1967, he did a tour of duty in Vietnam with the VA-86 Sidewinders, where he flew 130 missions in A-7 aircraft off the USS Coral Sea. During his six years of service, Gary made over 300 carrier landings, earning 13 air medals and a Unit Citation. He was a jet flight instructor with the VT-9 squadron in Meridian, Mississippi, until leaving the Navy in 1972. He then began a 31-year career with Delta Airlines, retiring in 2003 as a captain. He thought he had the best job in the world as a pilot until he became an "Opa" to Grant, Micah and Grace starting in 2003. In 1975, Gary, Mary and the boys moved to Flower Mound, Texas, then a community of about 2,000. From 1976 to 1984, Gary served on the water board, town council, and two terms as mayor. Gary provided leadership and vision that laid the groundwork for the infrastructure that now supports a community of more than 68,000. In 1997, Gary was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, an autoimmune disease that had claimed his mother's life. It launched a series of "medical miracles" that included a double lung transplant in 2006. Gary was forever grateful for this life-extending gift, and with his customary graciousness he embraced the family of his donor, Christopher Bonner. He was also grateful to all of the talented and caring medical staff at Baylor Hospital, especially his long-time pulmonologist and friend, Dr. Ken Ausloos. As a transplant recipient, Gary made it his personal mission to advocate for organ donation. He visited transplant patients and spoke to numerous groups, most recently nursing students at Navarro Junior College in Waxahachie in September. His final act of generosity was to donate his body to the Willed Body Program at UT Southwestern Medical School. Gary was much loved among his friends at King of Glory Lutheran Church in Dallas. A member since 1973, he was active as a church council member, Sunday school teacher and small group leader. His strong community of faith encouraged him in spiritual growth and nudged him out of his comfort zone to embrace all people with equanimity, equality and love. Gary was never afraid of dying, and he never stopped living. He often said the transplant gave him the gift of time to be "Opa" to his much-loved grandchildren and to continue to play golf. And then with a twinkle in his eye, he'd quickly echo a refrain from pilot days, "I love my life; I love my wife." Gary is survived by his wife of 49 years, Mary Lee Pressler of Flower Mound; his sons Adam and wife Jennifer of Dallas and Noah and wife Ryann of Flower Mound; three grandchildren, Micah, Grant and Grace; brothers Denny Pressler and wife Bea of Eloy, Arizona, and Tim Pressler and wife Becky of Portland, Oregon; brothers-in-law Steve Covalt, Ron Lee, and John Lee and wife Susan; sisters-in-law Evon Lee, Ramona Scarth and Lori Mickelson; and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Emanuel Emil and Eleanore Kent Pressler, and his sister, Valerie Covalt. Memorial services will be at 1:00 p.m. Monday, December 28, at King of Glory Lutheran Church, 6411 LBJ Freeway, Dallas. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Southwest Transplant Alliance at 5489 Blair Rd, Dallas, TX 75231 or www.organ.org.Published in Dallas Morning News on Dec. 13, 2015
===========================================
~ IN MEMORY ~
DL Capt. Gary N. Pressler
February 6, 1944 ~ November 20,
2015
Notice with the passing of retired Delta
pilot Captain Gary Norman Pressler, age 71. Captain Pressler joined Delta Air
Lines 11-27-1972 and was based DFW.
Whitepages lists the Pressler residence
as
4713 Skyline Drive , Flower Mound, TX
75028-3923 ... (972) 724-1873 (636)
390-9809.
Arrangements will be advised when
known.
Thank you,
~ Carol for the PCN
From: Carole Neubrand
Sent: Tuesday, November 24, 2015 11:21 AM Subject: Death of
retired DFW Captain Gary Pressler
11/24 … Retired
DFW Capt Gary Pressler of Flower Mound passed away this past Friday,
November 20th with
his family at his side. Pressler,
72, served as Flower Mound’s mayor from 1980 to 1984. “Flower
Mound was a better place because of Gary and his family,” said former mayor Jody
Smith. “Gary’s smile, friendly attitude and twinkling eyes will always be
remembered.” Details
on Pressler’s memorial service are forthcoming.
Former mayor Gary Pressler remembered for his
leadership
• Posted on Nov 21, 2015by Chris Roark
The Flower Mound community is remembering former mayor Gary Pressler for his leadership during the town's early days.
Pressler, who served as mayor from 1980 to 1984, died Friday. He was the town's seventh mayor.
Rick Lust, who was the town's mayor from 1988-1990, said he was friends with Pressler for about 40 years.
“Gary Pressler was one of the finest human beings I've ever known,” Lust said. “He guided his life with a strong moral compass. And he loved to engage people in the discussion, and he wanted to find out people's thoughts. Those things made him a strong leader.”
Lust said Pressler used that strong leadership to guide the town during a pivotal point in its history.
In the early 1970s, a Housing and Urban Development (HUD) project called Flower Mound New Town was established in what is now east Flower Mound. Flower Mound New Town, led by Edward Marcus, was created to bring in innovative urban and housing design plans.
HUD installed the infrastructure for the development, but New Town lasted only a few years. During Pressler's term, he and the Town Council agreed to take over the debt of the utility district, which at the time was $30 million.
“It was a tough decision, but Gary negotiated with HUD and got the council to go along with it,” Lust said. With that came what Lust described as a state-of-the-art sewer treatment facility. “We got the sewer, the water lines and the infrastructure that most towns our size didn't have,” Lust said. “And that was attractive to developers.” Lust said Pressler's vision was critical for the growth that was about to take place in Flower Mound.“Everyone was nervous [about taking on the infrastructure debt],” Lust said. “But Gary could see beyond that and saw that the growth was coming. And when the developers came, they said, 'This is what we want.' Because we had great infrastructure.” HUD then underwrote the first master plan for the town and Lust said, under Pressler's leadership, more strict ordinances were included, such as those that address signs, landscaping and setbacks.
After his time as mayor ended, Pressler stayed involved in the community. Jody Smith, who served as mayor from 2004-2010, said Pressler was a big advocate of organ donation and spoke publicly about the importance of it. He also assisted in the master plan process in later years. An avid golfer, he was a marshal at Bridlewood Golf Club.
“He was very personable, and he loved Flower Mound,” Smith said. “He was definitely committed to Flower Mound. And he will be missed by many.”
• Posted on Nov 21, 2015by Chris Roark
The Flower Mound community is remembering former mayor Gary Pressler for his leadership during the town's early days.
Pressler, who served as mayor from 1980 to 1984, died Friday. He was the town's seventh mayor.
Rick Lust, who was the town's mayor from 1988-1990, said he was friends with Pressler for about 40 years.
“Gary Pressler was one of the finest human beings I've ever known,” Lust said. “He guided his life with a strong moral compass. And he loved to engage people in the discussion, and he wanted to find out people's thoughts. Those things made him a strong leader.”
Lust said Pressler used that strong leadership to guide the town during a pivotal point in its history.
In the early 1970s, a Housing and Urban Development (HUD) project called Flower Mound New Town was established in what is now east Flower Mound. Flower Mound New Town, led by Edward Marcus, was created to bring in innovative urban and housing design plans.
HUD installed the infrastructure for the development, but New Town lasted only a few years. During Pressler's term, he and the Town Council agreed to take over the debt of the utility district, which at the time was $30 million.
“It was a tough decision, but Gary negotiated with HUD and got the council to go along with it,” Lust said. With that came what Lust described as a state-of-the-art sewer treatment facility. “We got the sewer, the water lines and the infrastructure that most towns our size didn't have,” Lust said. “And that was attractive to developers.” Lust said Pressler's vision was critical for the growth that was about to take place in Flower Mound.“Everyone was nervous [about taking on the infrastructure debt],” Lust said. “But Gary could see beyond that and saw that the growth was coming. And when the developers came, they said, 'This is what we want.' Because we had great infrastructure.” HUD then underwrote the first master plan for the town and Lust said, under Pressler's leadership, more strict ordinances were included, such as those that address signs, landscaping and setbacks.
With Pressler and Lust both being pilots, they had the opportunity to see
what types of standards other cities had. “We both traveled around the country,
and we saw what worked in other cities,” Lust said. “He adopted the practices
that were successful in those cities, and they were things that a lot of
our suburbs didn't have. And he led the council in that direction. As the mayor,
Gary had the vision to consider these things.” Lust said his efforts can still
be seen today. “What you enjoy today as you drive through Flower Mound, that
foundation was set during his era,” Lust said.
After his time as mayor ended, Pressler stayed involved in the community. Jody Smith, who served as mayor from 2004-2010, said Pressler was a big advocate of organ donation and spoke publicly about the importance of it. He also assisted in the master plan process in later years. An avid golfer, he was a marshal at Bridlewood Golf Club.
“He was very personable, and he loved Flower Mound,” Smith said. “He was definitely committed to Flower Mound. And he will be missed by many.”
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