Joseph Russell Presley passed away Thursday, August 11 ^th at the age of 76 years.

Joe was born on March 18, 1946 in Rickman, Tennessee.  He was the son of Beulah Lee (Copeland) Presley and A.P. Presley.  He graduated from Rickman High School in 1964 and shortly thereafter the family moved to Everest, KS.  Joe was drafted into the Army and served a tour of duty in Vietnam.  He was honorably discharged from the 1 ^st Battalion 44 ^th Artillery and returned home to Everest on December 24, 1967 just in time to celebrate Christmas with his family.

After his return, he was employed by the Kimmi Sawmill where he worked side by side with his father.  When work at the sawmill became slow, he traveled to Gridley, KS to visit his brother, Ron, and do some fishing.  He fell in love with the people of Gridley and the beauty of the surrounding area.  Joe decided to make Gridley his home and he remained there for over 50 years.  He spent his first years in Gridley working at the Osborn Grain Elevator.  He later worked for French & Winterscheid Oil as a pumper and spent 25 years in their employ retiring in 2006.

Joe's early years growing up in Tennessee instilled a passion for the outdoors.  He was an avid fisherman and gardener.  There was nothing more enjoyable to him than spending time with a line in the water or with his hands in the dirt figuring out how to make things grow.  Joe was also a complete sports fanatic.  He spent hours cheering on the Chiefs, the Royals, and his beloved KU Jayhawk Basketball team.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers Charlie, Ken, and Ron.  He will live on in the hearts and memories of his sister Betty Reeves, Brother Jim Presley, sister-in-law Donna Presley, His son Kelly Presley and partner Christine Rouse, son Scott Presley and wife Rachel, daughter Sheila (Presley) Hansen and husband Brian and grandchildren Nickole (Presley) Laflin and husband Adam, and Cal, Libby, and Emma Hansen.

Visitation will take place on Tuesday the 16 ^th , from 6:00 until 8:00 at Jones Funeral Home, Funeral Service will take place on Wednesday the 17 ^th , at 10:00 AM at Jones Funeral Home. Burial following at Gridley cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to SCC Honor Flight Program or the American Heart Association and may be sent in care of Jones Funeral Home, PO Box 277, Burlington, KS  66839.