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Randy Presley

Augustus Randolph "Randy" Presley, Jr, born in Mt. Pleasant, TX March 6, 1930. Attended public schools in Mt. Pleasant graduating from high school in 1947. First soloed a Piper Cub on April 8, 1946 and have been flying ever since. Attended University of Texas/Austin 1947-1951 graduating with a BBA. Entered boot camp at Lackland AFB in June 1951. Served as an assistant crew chief on a B-25 at James Connally AFB. Entered pilot training in September 1951 at Bainbridge Air Base, GA, went through single engine advanced at Bryan AFB, TX graduating October 25, 1952 with 2/Lt commission and wings. Went through F-84 gunnery school at Luke AFB November 1952-March 1953 then to K-2 Air Base, Taegu, Korea, assigned to the 7th FBS, 49th FBG which later became the 428th FBS, 474th FBG, 58th FBW. Flew 55 combat missions earning DFC and Air Medal with 2/OLC. Returned to Luke AFB January 1954 as an instructor in F-84 combat crew training until discharged October 25, 1955.

Returned to Mt. Pleasant, TX and joined with my father in the family wholesale grocery business until it closed in 1980. Became a corporate pilot for an oil and gas drilling company from 1981 to 1995, when it closed, and then became a corporate pilot for a highway construction company from 1995 until 2004. Semi-retired from corporate flying summer of 2004 with 11,000+ hours flying time. 2004 to 2007 still doing some contract corporate flying.

Married high school sweetheart, Janet Martin, in 1952 and raised three children. Oldest is Cindy Presley McWhorter is married, a teacher in Dallas and mother of two. Jeff Presley is in insurance business in Houston, and is married and father of four. Jack Presley, who is now a retired USAF & Texas Air National Guard Colonel, is married and a father of two. He started flying with Southwest Airlines in March 2006. Jan died of Alzheimer disease on January 21, 2005. I remarried November 29, 2005 to Sheryl Mason, a widow I have known for 50 years.

Accomplishments:

President of Texas Wholesale Grocers Association 1976, director and officer in various civic and industrial foundations in Mt. Pleasant, director, First National Bank of Mt. Pleasant 1968-1980; selected as one of the first Air Force Academy Liaison Officers in 1960 and remained active in the USAF Reserves in that capacity until 1990 advancing to the rank of Lt. Colonel; director and chief formation check pilot for the North American Trainer Association from 1988 until 2007; chairman of Mt. Pleasant Airport Board from 1959 until present; Honorary Life Time Vice-President University of Texas Dad’s Association; trustee for the Snow Hill Cemetery Association; Charter Member of St. Andrew United Methodist Church, Mt. Pleasant and treasurer for 17 years; one of the founding members and Corresponding Secretary since the inception of the USAF Pilot Training Class 52-G Association, Inc. (now 52-G and 52-H). Still an active pilot residing in Mt. Pleasant, Texas.