Coach Charles Edwin Presley, 84, passed away April 25, 2017.
He was born Dec. 1, 1932 in Fort Smith to Edwin West Presley and Ada Mae O’Bryan Presley.
Charles was educated in Fort Smith public schools, attending Belle Point, Fort Smith Junior High and graduating from Fort Smith High School in 1951, where he was a three sport letterman; lettering in football, achieving All-State in 1950; lettering in basketball and winning a state championship in 1951; and lettering in track as a long jumper.
Coach received a football scholarship from Arkansas Tech University, where he was a four year letterman and winning an AIC Championship in 1954. Charles received his B. S. degree from Tech in 1955 and his M. S. from the University of Arkansas in 1961.
In 1955, he married Gay Young, whom preceded him in death in March 2016, after 61 years of marriage.
His coaching career included: one year at Charleston High School, three years at Darby Junior High in Fort Smith and 13 years at Northside High School, winning a state track championship in 1967 and a state football championship in 1971.
Coach was a member of First Baptist Church and lived his life putting Christ and The Church first, family and friends second, school and job, third and sports, fourth.
He is survived by one son, Eddie Presley of Fort Smith; one daughter, Melanie Hobson of Rogers; 13 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Visitation will be Thursday, from 5-7 p.m. at Edwards Funeral Home. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Friday, April 28, 2017, in Edwards Funeral Home Chapel with burial in Roselawn Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be: Dr. Tommy Cheyne, Bennie Westphall, Rex Chronister, Johnny Alford, Tim Smith, Billy Joe Releford, Roger Carter, Art and Steve Capehart.
Memorials may be sent to: First Baptist Church, 14th and Grand Avenue, Fort Smith, AR 72901. Online condolences may be sent to: www.edwardsfuneralhome.com
