Garland Baxter Pressley, Jr.

Asheville – Garland Baxter Pressley, Jr., 99, known by most who knew him as “GB”, and fondly by his grandkids and great-grandkids as “Papoo”, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, December 29, 2023, at the Charles George V.A. Medical Center.

He was born on September 20, 1924 in Canton, NC to Garland Baxter Pressley, Sr. and Maida Robinson Pressley who have preceded him in death. He was the husband of the late Thelma Higgins Pressley whom he married in 1946, and was also preceded in death by his son, Gary Pressley; and sister, Wilma Smith.

He grew up in Canton, graduating from Canton High School in 1941. He joined the military, serving his country with the U.S. Marine Corps during WWII. He was wounded in the last battle of the war in Japan, earning a Purple Heart for his valor.

He moved his family to Asheville in 1956, where he remained for the rest of his life. He was a lifelong member of Westwood Baptist Church, where he was Chairman of the Deacons, Trustee, and very involved in all aspects of the church.

His career as a food service salesperson had him traveling many of the roads throughout Western North Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee, with Gold Dot Foods and Asheville Packing until his retirement.

His favorite pastime was spending time with grandkids and great grandkids.

Surviving are his sons: Richard Pressley and wife Debbie of Asheville, and Kevin Pressley and husband Mike of Las Vegas, NV; daughter-in-law, Rebecca Pressley of Asheville; grandchildren: Tracy Pressley Housley, Jennifer Pressley Jaynes, Meredith Pressley Stone and husband Ryan, and Melissa Pressley Woodard and husband Shawn; great-grandchildren: Jonathan Mallonee, Pressley Mallonee, Leah Housley, Olivia Stone, Riley Stone, Ava Woodard, and Ella Woodard; sister, Polly Minzemayer and husband Roy of Canton; brother, Ray Pressley of Canton; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 2 PM on Saturday, January 6, 2024, in the chapel of Anders-Rice Funeral Home with Rev. Steve Smith and Rev. Kelvin Moseley officiating. Burial will follow at Pisgah View Memorial Park with military honors by the U.S. Marine Corps.

The family will receive friends on Saturday from 1 till 2 PM at the funeral home.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the staff of the Charles George V.A. Medical Center and Trinity View Assisted Living Center for their loving support and care given to Mr. Pressley and his family.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in his memory to Trinity View Assisted Living Center, 2533 Hendersonville Rd, Arden, NC 28704.

Anders-Rice Funeral Home is honored to serve the Pressley Family.