Sgt. Major Jack Church Cress (Retired), 82, passed away on Saturday, December 20, 2014, at Hillview Health Care Center, Elizabethton, Tenn., with his family by his side.
Jack was born October 29, 1932, the son of the late L.N. “Bud” and Thelma Church Cress of Neva, Tenn. He was preceded in death by brothers, Clarence and Robert Cress, and a great-grandson, Shawn Wills.
Jack was retired from the United States Army after serving 21 years of service. He was very proud to be a soldier and served his country with pride. Sergeant Major Cress served in the Korean and Vietnam War and also served in Desert Storm. He was stationed at Fort Jackson, S.C., Okinawa and Sendai, Japan, Hawaii, Germany, Presidio, San Francisco, Calif., Fort McPherson, Ga., Fort Campbell and Fort Knox, Ky., and Fort Smith, Ark. Jack was one of 18 soldiers that were sent from California to the 101st Airborne Division of Fort Campbell, Ky., to set up the first Data-Processing Center Army wide.
Jack worked for Smith-Higgins Company in Johnson City as a Data-Processing Manager for 10 years after retiring from the Army. He served Johnson County as purchasing agent for five years. The past 30 years Jack was self-employed as a tax preparer and bookkeeper.
Jack was a member of Vaught’s Gap Baptist Church for 42 years where he held the office of Deacon and Sunday school teacher.
Jack is survived by his wife of 62 years, Charlotte Mink Cress, who lovingly cared for Jack and remained by his side throughout his lengthy illness; daughters, Katherine Lowman (Bob), Richmond, Va., Pamella Johnson (Rex), Elizabethton, Tenn., and Perriann Stanley (Jerry), Mountain City, Tenn.; one sister, Margaret Cress, Mountain City, Tenn.; four brothers, Joe Mack Cress, Mountain City, Tenn., John Cress, Morristown, Tenn., James Cress, Midlothian, Va., and Sam Cress, Mountain City, Tenn.; 11 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
Jack’s family would like to thank the staff of Hillview Health Care Center for the excellent care he received. A special thanks to Nurse Penny Bradley who always made him smile.
The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, December 23, at Mountain City Funeral Home, Mountain City, Tenn., with the funeral service to follow at 7 p.m. with Brother Noah Broughton from Nancy, Ky., officiating. Bro. Broughton was Jack’s pastor in Fort Knox, Ky., in 1968 and has remained a longtime friend. Music will be provided by Jack’s grandchildren, Nikki Campbell, Monica Hardin, Bridgett Simpson and Garrett Johnson. Active pallbearers will be Jerry Stanley, Rex Johnson, Bob Lowman, Jason Lowman, Jared Lowman, Garrett Johnson and Joe Winebarger. Honorary pallbearers will be Louis Gump, Harold Garland, Fred Mayfield and Tony Fowler. A private family committal service with Military Honors conducted by the Johnson County Honor Guard will be held Friday, December 26, at Mountain Home National Cemetery. Friends may call at the home, 1480 Mill Creek Road, Mountain City, Tenn., 37683 (423-727-7265). Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.mountaincityfh.com
The family of Sgt. Major Jack Church Cress (Retired) has entrusted his service to Mountain City Funeral Home, 224 S. Church Street, Mountain City, Tenn., (423) 727-9700.