Be the first to share your favorite memory, photo or story of
David.
This memorial page is dedicated for family, friends and future generations to celebrate
the life of their loved one.
We ask on behalf of the family that you keep your comments uplifting and appropriate
to help all who come here to find comfort and healing.
Obituary for David Leon Presley
David Leon Presley, devoted husband, father, son, brother, and friend passed away surrounded by his family on April 19, 2014. He was born in Eatonton as the second oldest son in a large family. He married the only love of his life, Love Lankford, in 1946 and theirs was a happy marriage for 67 years. Their first son, Hugh Cleven, was born in 1951 and their second son, Randy Keith, was born in 1952. The visitation will be on Tuesday, April 22nd at Vining Ivy Hill Chapel at 1:30 PM, the service will follow at 3 PM, and burial will be at Pine Grove Cemetery. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Eatonton. He ably served his country as a devoted veteran in WW II in England in the United States Army Air Corp. He was proud of his military service and especially so about being able to patch up lanes returning from combat which had been damaged. He worked for the United States Postal Service for 38 year and for the most of those years was a country mail carrier. He loved riding the back country roads of Putnam County. Down each road and as he passed by an old house or farm he would name the owner and perhaps several previous owners. He could point out where a family lived, where they farmed and what they grew and the details of their life. David Leon being a man of many talents was reluctant to have anything done that he could do for himself. As a child in the Great Depression he learned the value of independence, self-reliance, and above all the value of a hard earned dollar. He lived a deliberate life and was extraordinarily industrious. He conducted his life by reasoned ritual and had a purpose for every action he took. He fancied himself a practical engineer and many of his projects displayed an elegant approach to solving a problem. After a Sunday Church service many were the times that the family would be sitting in the car waiting on Dad to come to go home and there would be one or two other cars remaining. When he did finally come, he would always say that someone else just wanted to talk and he couldn’t get away. Off course we knew the person carrying the conversation was Leon. It has been said that the time a person spends praying is added on the end of life. Anyone who knew how he prayed would not be surprised at his long life. When he sat down to each meal, everyone around the table – and especially the Lord – was fully aware of just how thankful we all were for the many blessings in our life and the food before us. His prayers were conversations and he knew God was listening and answering. David Leon is survived by his sons Hugh Cleven (Sue) and Randy Keith (Teresa Brock) : step grandson Burt Dodson, step great granddaughter Bailey Dodson: brothers Bob Presley of Jonesboro, Ga. and Lee (Bobbie Sue) of Texas: sister Elizabeth Griffin of Macon, Ga. many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife Love Lankford, father Terrell Grady and mother Louise Hughes Presley: brothers Oliver, Calvin, Raymond, Raleigh, Orris: sisters Gertrude and Valeria.
