On November 27, 2023, David Robert Presley, a proud member of the Osage Nation, died in Tulsa, Oklahoma after a brief stay in the hospital. We will miss him terribly but we gain comfort in knowing that his beloved wife Sandy and son Jonathan, were there to greet him. After Sandy died, just a couple of years shy of their 50th anniversary, there wasn’t a day that went by that he didn’t mention her. They met many years ago in Caney, Kansas growing up. After high school, he joined the Navy, lived in Michigan and even had dreams of traveling the US – most likely following the Grateful Dead. But, a chance encounter with Sandy when he was back home led him on a different path. They married in 1970 in Richmond, Texas, and welcomed a daughter, Amber Dawn, in 1974 while he was attending Oklahoma State University. After graduating with a BS in Mechanical Engineering in 1975, his family relocated back to Texas (he was born in Austin) – proudly his home state, where he would spend most of his career and life. In 1979, he welcomed his first son Matthew Leland in Dallas and a second son, Jonathan David in Houston in 1983.
He coached softball, soccer, baseball, was an avid sports collector and even owned a baseball card shop in Bellville, Texas – The Stolen Base in the 1990’s. He was a family man that never missed a chance to embarrass his kids – whether it was dancing in public or just being goofy. He never met a stranger and was a well-known prankster. He loved music and was proud to name the iconic bands he had seen including The Beatles, Stones, and of course, Grateful Dead. He was a grillmaster deluxe and his steaks will be missed. Some of his favorite moments were sitting on the back porch and talking with a glass of Texas wine.
Anyone that knew him also knew that he loved his work-it wasn’t really work to him. His 40+ year career in the field of Piping Engineering focused on design engineering and construction of refineries, chemical and petrochemical plants, gas plants, and offshore installations. His vast technical and managerial experience showed a deep understanding of the complexities in the industry. He often spoke fondly of his buddies from work especially from days at Litwin and Mustang (he would not call it by its new name!), where he retired from.
He traveled all over the world for his work – from Tunisia to Brazil, Wyoming to Antigua. His “worst” job assignments were in the Caribbean, of course. He lived and worked in Antigua, St. Thomas and Aruba, where he enjoyed Cuban Rum and cigars – a little too much if you asked Sandy.
David was laid to rest next to Sandy, his son Jonathan and his father and mother in Katy, Texas. He is survived by his daughter Amber Presley, son Matthew Presley and his wife Dara, yorkie Ruby, grandchildren Isaac and Judah, grandogs Trixie and Finn, family members Linda and Herb Kroesche, sister-in-laws Reggin and Meggin, brother-in-law Jeff, nieces, nephews, cousins and many many friends.
“Nothing left to do but smile, smile, smile.” – The Grateful Dead
