Claude Oral Pressnell, Sr. was born to Vernissa (Briscoe) and Alfred (Bud) Pressnell, Jr. on March 19, 1937 in Augusta, Kansas.  He grew up Augusta and was an active member of the community.  In his early years you would find him at the family-owned restaurant where his mother worked or driving a fire truck for the August Fire Department where his father served as Fire Chief.

He attended Augusta High School where he played basketball, ran track, and fell in love with, and eventually married, his high school sweetheart, Patricia Ann (Hixon) Pressnell.  Claude and Patricia were married on September 19, 1958.  They had two sons, Derrel Dean Pressnell and Claude Oral Pressnell, Jr.  During this time, Claude worked for Augusta Fire Department and Skelly Oil in El Dorado, Kansas to meet the needs of the family.

In 1966, Claude and his family moved to eastern Kansas where he worked for the Gas Service Company in Paola, Osawatomie, and finally settling in Ottawa, Kansas.  Claude quickly became a fixture in the Ottawa community.  He served as little league football coach, baseball coach, and member of the First Baptist Church.  As a coach, he endeared himself to players and their families throughout the years.  In his work with the Gas Service Company, he would be seen all around the Ottawa region serving others and talking to everyone!  Claude never met someone with whom he could not strike up a conversation.

One of Claude's favorite verses was John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that he gave his begotten Son, for whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life."  Claude's life-long goal was to weave his love for Christ into every conversation.  Even though he knew not everyone would be receptive, he desired to make them aware of God's love.

Claude retired from the Gas Service Company (which became the Kansas Power and Light Company) in 1992 and moved Wichita in 1997.  With the skills he acquired over a lifetime, he was known as a handyman and used his carpentry skills to add rooms, remodel kitchens, and make home upgrades.  He considered himself a "scavenger" who would find items thrown out and repurpose them for greater uses.  Claude truly enjoyed the company of others and would spend hours in conversations about projects, frequently offering tidbits of advice to suggest slight modifications or shortcuts toward a better solution.

Family gatherings were always a highlight for Claude.  He loved being around his sons and their families, taking pleasure in the chaos of holiday celebrations.  His love for his wife, Patricia, was never a secret.  Claude would often tell his sons and friends how much he "so loved that woman."  More recently, he and Patricia would enjoy taking cruises in the Caribbean and taking afternoon drives in their convertible.

A man of faith, Claude is survived by his wife Patricia (Hixon) Pressnell of Wichita; two sons, Derrel Pressnell of Wichita, and Claude Pressnell, Jr. of Franklin, TN and adopted daughter, Sherry Pressnell of Tulsa, OK; his brother, Alfred (Eddie) Pressnell of Augusta and his sister Florence Daly of Marshfield, MO.  He is also survived by ten grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his father and mother, Alfred and Vernissa Pressnell.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made out to St. Jude's Children's Hospital or the Salvation Army, left in care of the funeral home.

Visitation will be Thursday March 18 ^th , from 12-2 p.m. at the Dunsford Funeral Home in Augusta.  Graveside Service to follow at 2 p.m. at Elmwood Cemetery also in Augusta.