It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of John E. Pressey Jr., 92, of Fillmore, CA on January 7, 2024.
John was born in Maryland on August 3, 1931; where his father, John E. Pressey Sr. had been stationed with the U.S. Army 1"Infantry Division. As a small child and the oldest sibling of four, John’s family moved to South Gate, California, where he was raised by his father, who was employed with the USPS as a letter carrier.
John attended Bell High School until the tenth grade, when he joined the U.S. Army into the 160" Infantry Regiment of the California National Guard stationed in Maywood, California. In June 1950, when the North Korean army invaded South Korea his Regiment was assigned to Occupation duty in Osaka, Japan. John was then transferred to the medical corps attached with the 27" Infantry Regiment of the 25" Infantry Division, called the “Wolfhounds”. John’s Wolfhound Regiment was sent to Pusan, South Korea on the decks of Japanese freighters.
While in Korea, John was wounded by artillery/mortar fire.
Returning stateside, John was shipped by train from Madigan Army Hospital in Washington State to Las Vegas, Nevada where Army trucks took them to Yucca Flats Atomic Test Site. There he would be exposed to atomic radiation for experimental purpose by the U.S. government.
John left the Army as a Sergeant First Class (E-7). He received the following military awards ; Combat Medic Badge, Wounded Purple Heart, Army of Occupation ribbon for Japanese Occupation after World War Il, Korean Service ribbon with three battle stars, The Bronze Star with the V clasp for Valor for rescuing fallen Infantrymen, while under mortar and machine gun fire, and the Good Conduct Medal.
John came back home to California and went to work at Douglas Aircraft as a riveter and aircraft mechanic. Retiring with a pension from Lockheed Aircraft Company and VA pension for his residual shrapnel war wounds. In retirement he went back to school and earned his Associates of Arts degree from Ventura Community College.
John was a faithful Episcopalian where he met and married his wife, Nancy. They were happily married for 65 years. John and Nancy raised two children, James and Ruth, and in 1973 made Fillmore their home. John was actively involved with the Veterans of Foreign Wars of Fillmore (VFW Post #9637) and served as Commander, and later as Chaplain for many years.
John is survived by his loving wife - Nancy Pressey of Fillmore, his siblings — David Pressey of Ojai, California, Esther Moon of Orcutt, California, son and daughter-in-law James and Janice Pressey of Newbury Park, California, daughter – Ruth Baker of Fillmore, California, grandchildren — Jennifer Garibay of Anaheim, California , Sara Oglesby of Simi Valley, California, Megan Gomez of Medford, Oregon, and Jason Pressey of Newbury Park, California ; along with multiple great- grandchildren.
The Pressey Family and Fillmore VFW will conduct a graveside ceremony at Bardsdale Cemetery on January 23 at 11 AM with the Rt. Rev. Bob Hammond of the traditional Anglican Church officiating.
A reception with light refreshments will be held after the ceremony in Fillmore. If you wish to attend the reception, please RSVP to David Pressey (John’s Brother) at 805-646-1967 by January 19th.