Mr. Joel Earnest Presson, 96, passed away on March 19 ^th , 2017 at home in Naples Florida. Joel was born in Monroe North Carolina on January, 30 ^th , 1921 to the late Joel  E. Presson Sr. and the late Magaret Outen Presson. He is survived by his son, Stephen D. Presson and his wife Kim of Lebanon Ohio and his daughter, Karen Raunft and her husband Ralph of Naples Florida. Joel is survived by three grandchildren, Stephen D. Presson II and his wife Tammy of Ft. Collins Co., Jennifer Yeazel and her husband Nick , and Joel Edward Presson both of Lebanon Ohio. Joel was blessed by five Great Grandchildren, Sadie, Sierra and Sol Presson and Leila and Lauren Yeazel.

Joel graduated from Marshville High school in 1938 before attending The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. During WWII he served as a pilot in the Army Air Corps. He married the late Dolores Mary Browning in 1944 and after the war they moved to Cincinnati Ohio, where they raised their family. Mr. Presson worked for many years in restaurant management where he was honored as a mentor to the opportunity work experience students.

Retiring in 1985, he moved briefly to Gainesville Florida with his second wife the late Bess Buchanan. In 1988, Joel moved to the college town of Oxford Ohio to be near his children and their families. There he began his second career with the Wendy's Organization, which lasted 27 years. He was honored as a friend of the Miami University Teams. In Oxford he worked five days a week, walking 3 miles a day after work. He volunteered with the Oxford Senior Citizens Center. On his day off he loved to visit his son Stephen at his office for lunch.

In 2015, at the age of 94, he reluctantly retired from Wendy's and accompanied his daughter and her husband as they retired to Naples Florida. He lived in his own home and enjoyed the good weather as he rode his red scooter throughout their community. He pursued his hobby of photography being honored to have his work published in the Community calendar.

The most important things in his life were family and work, but he was also an avid reader. He loved following sports, especially as a fan of his alma mater, the University of North Carolina. In his last week he visited the library and had a photo session at the beach.

He liked to think of himself as a farm boy. He lived frugally, but gave generously to family and supported many charities.

Morgan and Son Funeral Home are assisting the family with a graveside service at Faulks Baptist Church Cemetery on Saturday at 2 PM, with Dr. David Richardson  conducting the service.