Lt Col (Ret) Dewey Ralph Preslar Sr.'s Obituary
Lt Col (Ret) Dewey Ralph Preslar, Sr, age 90, passed away Easter morning at Trinity Place in Albemarle on April 9, 2023.
Dewey was born April 27, 1932 in Wadesboro NC to Robert O. and Hannah Treadaway Preslar. He and his wife Geraldine Carter Preslar later moved to Albemarle where they raised their four children. He was a lifetime member of Christ Episcopal Church on Pee Dee Ave. in Albemarle, serving the church in numerous roles.
Lt Col Preslar, served in many positions throughout his long and distinguished career in the North Carolina Air National Guard, with the 118 th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron and the 263 rd CBCS, retiring as a Lt Col on 25 April 1992 with over 42 years and 10 months of faithful and dedicated service. Lt Col Preslar was one of the handful of exemplary members who received a direct commission as an officer based on his expertise, experience, and longevity, reporting as a MSgt (E-7) that morning and left that evening as a Captain (0-3). Ironically, it was the same day the flying unit received its first C-130B in 1970. Early in his career, he deployed with the 118 th to South Africa in the early 1950s. Additionally, at age 58, Lt Col Preslar deployed at the end of the first Gulf War to manage the return of wartime equipment and materials.
Brother Preslar was a 55-year endowed member of Albemarle #703 Masonic Lodge, having served as Master in 1975. He was an honorary member of his father’s Masonic Lodge, Kilwinning 64 in Wadesboro, NC. He was a 33 rd degree Scottish Rite Mason coronated in 1993. Also, he was a life member of the Oasis Shrine, a member of the Oasis Past Master unit, and a member of the Stanly County Shrine Club. He was named the special Assistant to the Grand Master of Masons serving in 2013. Dewey volunteered and donated his time and energy on various Boards with the Stanly County Senior Services Department in Albemarle.
He is survived by his four children, Dewey R Preslar, Jr (Terrie), R David Preslar (Becky), Douglas R Preslar (Tracie), and Deanna Deere (John). He also leaves behind nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Teresa Carter and Michelle Boone private caregivers; Sara Beth Craven, Jennifer Belsinger, and Brittany Poplin of Hospice of Stanly and Uwharrie, and the staff at Trinity Place for their loving care.
Funeral Services will be held Saturday, April 22, 2023 at Christ Episcopal Church (425 Pee Dee Ave., Albemarle, NC) with Father Rick Williams officiating. The family will greet friends in the Church Parish Hall from 10:00 to 10:45 am followed by the service at 11:00 am. Interment will follow with military honors and Masonic Rites in the Church yard.
Stanly Funeral Home is assisting the family.
Memorials may be made to the Masonic Home for Children located at 600 College Street, Oxford NC 27565 and/or Hospice of Stanly & Uwharrie, 960 North First Main Street, Albemarle NC 28001.
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