Arnold Kenneth Pressey, age 88, passed away on January 1, 2025 after several months of declining health. Arnie never knew a stranger, often spending 20 minutes or more talking to someone he just met. He touched the lives of many and was loved by many. He will be deeply missed.
Arnie grew up in Meadville, PA and graduated in 1958 from Atlanta Christian College in East Point, GA. He spent his life serving his Lord Jesus Christ as a preacher including 18+ years at Zion's Chapel Church of Christ, Roper, NC; 20+ years at Terra Ceia Church of Christ, Pantego, NC; and before his retirement at Saints Delight Church of Christ, Roper, NC.
In addition to his ministry, Arnie had a variety of jobs including being a DJ for WPNC; serving on the Washington County Board of Education; and driving a semi-truck.
Arnie had two dreams as a child, to race cars and to fly planes. He was able to successfully pursue and accomplish both dreams. Arnie raced stock cars where he was widely known around the tracks in eastern NC as "The Preacher" and he thoroughly enjoyed flying his four-seater airplane. Arnie was a great fan of puns: a trait he passed on to his children. He also liked to collect stuff and invariably had a few old cars, engines and many unidentifiable car parts lying around.
Arnie is survived by his devoted wife Alice Strader Pressey; daughter Debbie Broyles and husband Greg; son Paul Pressey and wife Sue; his daughter-in-law Joan Pressey; his grandchildren Jo Beth Elliott, David Broyles and wife Katie, Kelley De Leon and husband Wilson, Emily Pressey, and Kathryn Pressey; his great-grandchildren Liam Elliott, Nolan Elliott, and Hattie Broyles; and his sister Joyce Tovell. Arnie is preceded in death by his wife Bette Jo Pressey and his son Ken Pressey.
A visitation with the family will be held at Plymouth Church of Christ, 905 Washington Street, Plymouth, NC, on Friday, January 10 from 6-8 p.m. A funeral service will be held at Plymouth Church of Christ on Saturday, January 11 at 11 a.m. Following the funeral, Arnie will be buried at Zion's Chapel Church of Christ, Roper, NC. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to ALS United North Carolina, 4 N. Blount Street - Suite 200, Raleigh, NC 27601.
Arrangements are by Maitland Funeral Home, Plymouth.
