Harry Darrell Cress, 84, passed away on Saturday, January 15, 2022.
He was born in Kennett, Missouri to Harry Cress and Wilma (Crites) Cress. He was raised in Kennett where he attended school and was a graduate of Holcomb High School. While there, he played center on the varsity basketball team and there, also, he met his soon to be wife. After high school, he joined the United States Air Force and married Virginia Marshall who he was married to for 66 years. He served in the USAF for his first career where he served for 20 years, retiring as a Master Sergeant and Flight Chief. He was selected as “Airman of the Year” twice during his tenure with the Air Force and served multiple long-term deployments in places all over the world, during both peaceful and war eras, earning multiple honors. After retiring, Harry went to Wichita State University, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Technology. After college, he worked for several aircraft companies including Boeing where he worked on Air Force 1 and ended up in the wood shop. He retired from his second career at Boeing.
Harry enjoyed playing basketball, doing wood working, fishing, gardening and having fun in general. His greatest love was being with his family, enjoying activities with them.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Wilma Cress (Cantrell), and Sister, Joan Fleak.
Harry is survived by his wife, Virginia, children, Donnie Cress, Jerry Cress, Lisa (Cress) Wallace, and Darrell Cress. He had 11 grandchildren and 27 great grandchildren.
Visitation 5:00-7:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 19, at Baker Funeral Home Valley Center.
Service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, January 20, at Calvary Baptist Church, 320 N. Sheridan, Valley Center. Graveside will follow at 2:00 p.m., Kansas Veterans Cemetery, 1208 N. College, Winfield.