Presley Clark Bywater of Port Aransas, Texas, passed away July 20, 2018, surrounded by family, at the age of 82.
Presley was born April 4, 1936, in Tarkio, Missouri, to James Benjamin and Armelda Helen Bywater. He lived in and around the area until moving to Texas after his retirement. He graduated from Tarkio High School in 1954 and shortly after started his career in the grocery business that spanned 42 years. His career included 11 years with the Safeway store in Shenandoah, Iowa, as produce manager, four years with the Hy-Klas Market Basket store in Tarkio, as meat market manager, and 27 years with Hy-Vee Grocery Stores in the area. He worked in the meat department in Shenandoah, Iowa, and was meat market manager for the Grant City, Missouri, store, Eldora, Iowa, store and Tarkio store. He retired in 1997.
Presley was united in marriage to Helen V. Barrett on January 31, 1955, in Tarkio. They were married 63 years. Born of this union were three daughters, Carmen, Leasa, and Lora.
Presley was a member of the First Baptist Church in Tarkio. He was a 50-plus year member of the Tarkio Masonic Lodge #308, and also a member of the Rock Port, Missouri, Masonic Lodge #107. He was a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason, a long-time member of the Amalgamated Meat Cutters and Butchers Union, and was the Union Steward while at the Safeway store in Shenandoah. He also served on the Tarkio City Council.
Presley enjoyed fishing, collecting antiques, yard work, and puttering around in the garden.
Presley was preceded in death by his parents, James and Armelda Bywater; three brothers, James Jr., Charles, and Eugene Bywater; and three sisters, Lois Farwell, Virginia Jones, and Mildred Smith.
Survivors include his wife Helen of 63 years; three daughters, Carmen Wood and Joel Ton, Leasa Coulter and husband Mike, Lora Cummins and husband Richard; five grandsons, Mark Coulter, John Coulter, Jacob Cummins, Sam Cummins and wife Renae, and Max Cummins; one great-granddaughter, Lona Bell Cummins; three brothers, Eddie Ray Bywater, Lester Bywater (wife Marian), and Ralph Bywater; his sister, Annie Bowers and husband Tom; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Cards of sympathy may be sent to family at 520 Aransas Channel, Port Aransas, TX 78373.