Harry Lee Cress, Sr.

Harry Lee Cress, Sr., 78, of Mt. Pleasant, passed away at his residence on Thursday, July 20, 2017, following a period of declining health.

A celebration of his life will begin at 3 p.m. Sunday, July 23, in the Gordon Funeral Home Chapel, 8559 Cook Street, with the Rev. Jerry Baker officiating. Following the service, the Cress family will receive friends from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Cress home, 9998 Roundtree Road, Mt. Pleasant.

A Cabarrus County native, Harry was born to the late Holly Cress and Myrtie Safrit Cress on Feb. 20, 1939. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by three brothers, Hubert Cress, Robert Cress and Fred Cress; a son, Albert Lee Cress; and a daughter, Beverly C. Walters.

Harry was a high school graduate, a veteran of the U.S. Army, owner/operator of Cress Welding Service. A member of Poplar Grove Baptist Church, Harry enjoyed studying his Bible, panning for gold and gem stones, wood working, metal detector hunting. A family man, he loved his grandchildren and took pride in teaching them life lessons that mattered.

Harry is survived by his wife, Patricia Shay Cress of the home; two sons, Wayne Cress and Harry Lee Cress, Jr.; a daughter, Debra C. Evans; step-daughter,  Rhonda LaRoche; step-son, David Thomas; seven grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; one brother, Buford Cress; and three sisters, Mary C. McGraw, Ethel C. James and Betty C. Ramsey.