Bobby Pressley
November 13, 1932 ~ April 27, 2004
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
Bobby Eugene Pressley, 71, of 763 Brevard Road, Asheville, died Tuesday, April 27, 2004, at St. Joseph Hospital.
Mr. Pressley was born in Buncombe County and was a son of the late William Edward and Georgia Mae Lance Pressley. He was also preceded in death by a sister, Catherine McDowell and three brothers, Billy, Dillard and Clarence.
He raced stock cars from 1962 to 1998 and was a member of Bent Creek Baptist Church.
Surviving are his wife, Doris Parker Pressley; one daughter, Patricia Warren and her husband Tony; four sons, Charles Pressley and his wife Alison, Mike Pressley and his wife Peggy, Robert Pressley and his wife Gina and Kenneth Pressley and his wife Sonia, all of Asheville; their mother, Sadie Mae Fox Pressley; a step-daughter, Sharon Smith and her husband Peter; two step-sons Bridgett Scott and his wife Angie and Gary Scott; two sisters, Hazel Bloodworth of Wilmington and Edith Crisp of Marion; fourteen grandchildren, two great-grandchildren; and special friends, Lloyd and Rosemary Slagle.
Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. Friday at Bent Creek Baptist Church with the Revs. Tommy Bridges, Charlie Sams and Edwin Elledge officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery.
Pallbearers wil be Rick Messer, C.D. Crawford, Eddie McGlamery, Bobby Parris, Harold Lance and Ronnie Lunsford.
Mr. Pressley will be taken to the church Thursday evening where his family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m.
Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s’ Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or to Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, 51 Locust Avenue, Suite 201, New Canaan, CT 06840.
His family extends special thanks to the 10th Floor Oncology Unit of St. Joseph Hospital for the care given to Bobby.
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Dearest Presley’s:
Our hearts and prayers go out to each of you. May God be with you now and always.
Jay, Angela, Jake and Jordan Cox
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
Our prayers are with the Pressley family in this difficult time.
Our prayers go out to all of you. May our heavenly Father comfort you all during this time of sorrow and give you all strength for the days ahead.
Dear Pressley Family, our prayers are with you during this loss. My family was a fan of Bob’s from the Hickory Speedway days. My dad had a car that run @ Hickory and Asheville the same time as Bob. He was a great racer. Just put your faith in The Lord and He will comfort you. The Ervin Carswell family. #96 limited sportsman ford.
WE ARE SORRY ABOUT THE LOSS OF YOUR FATHER AND HUSBAND. OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU
My condolences to the Pressley family on the loss of Bob. I have never met Bob but did meet Robert once at Rockingham and and have followed his career on and off for a long time.
Prayers to the Pressley family. Bob passes on my birthday; now I will remember Bob every April 27th. I will remember the best times watching him rule the Asheville speedway every weekend. I will remember my cousin and myself playing racing in the front yard on those warm nights. Emulating Bob…fighting over who would get the honor of being him. Those are my favorite memories. Thanks Bob…thanks for being such a huge part of my childhood.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your’s at this time of sorrow.Be happy knowing he’s with the Lord now.Keep the faith!Win lots of races in his memory.That’s what he would want you to do.Take Care.
My prayers are with the Pressley family.I grew up watching Bob race at Hickory Speedway and talked to him quite often there .Bob was a great racer and a great person .
You are in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time in your lives. God Bless you and keep you safe.
Robert, Gina, Coleman, and Shelby, I was so very sorry to hear of your father’s and grandfather’s death today. You have been in my thoughts and prayers so often. I didn’t know Bobby, but I did know you all; and because of that, I know he had to have been a wonderful person. My love to all of you. Etta Moseley
My thoughts and prayers go out to Bob’s family. We spent many a good night at Asheville and Hickory Speedways when our kids were young and we were all racing. Bob was the greatest racer and friend to us all.
Robert sorry about dad really enjoyed watch him race when i could
may god be with you and your family
ROBERT,
OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.
To the Pressley’s,
I just wanted to let you all know that the Barkdoll family has Bob and each one of you in our thoughts and prayers.
When I moved down here in 1987 all I heard about was Bob Pressley and the Pressley boys. I think the foot print that Bob has left is indeed a tough but caring person who knew how to get it done. May God bless each one of you.
Best regards,
Steve Barkdoll & Family
Thanks for the fond memories, Bob. I shall never forget that red #54………
DORIS & CHILDREN, WE ARE VERY LOSS AND WORDS CANNOT EXPRESS OUR FEELINGS, BOB WAS ALWAYS A CLOSE FAMILY MEMBER FOR AS LONG AS WE CAN REMEMBER, WE ENJOYED HIM. HIS MEMORIES WILL BE OUR TREASURE. I AM A SISTER TO RONNIE & DANNY LUNSFORD. BOB WAS JUST LIKE A DADDY, IN FACT WE CALLED HIM DADDY WHEN WE WAS ROUTING FOR HIM ON THE RIVER, EVERY FRIDAY NITE…. A SPECIAL PERSON HAS MET HIS MAKER, ON THOSE GOLDEN STREETS… HE WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN…. DORIS, TAKE CARE, CAUSE THAT’S WHAT HE WOULD HAVE WANTED YOU TO DO, BOB WAS READY TO GO HOME, HE WAS WORE OUT FROM SUFFERING…. MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND ROBERT, MIKE, KEN, CHARLIE, & PATRICIA, HE LOVED YOU KIDS. RACING WAS HIS LIFE AND HE ENJOYED IT TO THE FULLEST, BURN OUTS I’LL NEVER FORGET. HE WAS & ALWAYS BE REMEMBERED IN MY FAMILY & HEART. TAKE CARE & REMEMBER THE TREASURES, TO BE NEVER FORGOTTEN…. LOVE TO ALL, MARVIN& JANET LUNSFORD SCOTT
Doris and all of Bob’s children
Willis and I have lost a precious
friend. God needed a special angel
so he took Bob home. Our prayers
are with you at this time.
Betty & Willis
Sims
Dear Pressley family:
I know you are going through a difficult time right now. Bob was one of the nicest racers I ever had the pleasure of meeting. I watched him when my dad raced at Asheville in the 70s, and then I had the opportunity to interview him before he got into his car for his final laps around Asheville Motor Speedway. He couldn’t wait to climb in that car, and that’s an experience I’ll never forget. He was a legend and will be dearly missed. But his legacy will live on forever in the hearts of racing fans throughout the country. May God bless all of you in this difficult time.
I AM SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS,BOB WAS A GREAT MAN…HE SURE SHOWED US RACE FANS,,SOME EXCITING TIMES,,I WILL NEVER FORGET..MY HEART GOES OUT TO THE FAMILY,,,I LOVE YOU ALL,,AND SADIE YOU ARE SO PRECIOUS TO ME…WE SURE HAVE HAD SOME WONDERFUL TIMES,,AND IF THERE IS A RACE TRACK IN HEAVEN,,LOOK OUT,BOB HAS GOT HIS PEDAL TO THE METAL,,,ENJOYING WHAT HE LOVED DOING BEST…DON’T YOU WISH WE WAS THERE TO WATCH…WE WOULD NOT BRING HIM BACK..FOR HE NOW HAS A NEW BODY…CHERISH HIS MEMORIES FOR THEY ARE FOREVER…I DID NOT KNOW DORIS,,BUT MY PRAYERS ARE WITH HER TO…JUST REMEMBER HIS RACING HAS JUST BEGUN….HE IS HAVING THE TIME OF HIS LIFE…ON HEAVENS RACE TRACK..WHERE THERE IS NO MORE SUFFERING OR PAIN…CAN’T YOU JUST SEE HIS SMILING FACE…REMEMBER AND KEEP HIM ALWAYS IN YOUR HEART….
AND ROBERT,,,HE WILL ALWAYS RIDE WITH YOU…
MY LOVE,,,AND PRAYERS…JEAN
Dear Robert, Gina, Coleman & Shelby:
I am so sorry to hear about your Dad & Granddad. Sherman loved talking with Bob. Now they are together again. Please know that I am thinking of you and your whole family and pray that memories will hold him near.
Fondly,
Janet Forrester
We’d like to express our deepest sympathy. Some of my earliest memories were hanging around Bob’s garage with my dad, the late Charles Hembree. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Pressley family.
James Hembree & family,
Helen Hembree
The Pressley Family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. I watched Bob and Robert race many times at the Asheville Speedway and Charlotte and Hickory.
Paul Davis and myself covered many races and enjoyed talking with Bob and Robert. He was a legend and will always be remembered.
Again our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Bruce ‘Radar from Big Wise’
& Laurie Chandley
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Pressley family during this difficult time.
Our family sends condolences to Bob’s family; Bob and I were cousins on his mother’s side of the family. He was a good man and he will be greatly missed.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Pressley family at this time. May God bless and keep each of you.
All of us, regardless of what we choose to do with and in our lives, want to make a difference. We want to feel that somehow we have added color and texture to the remarkable tapestry of the evolving human story. We want to believe that what we contributed was unique and important and valued. We want people to affirm that what we stood for mattered to them, as well as to us; and that we lived lives with purpose, integrity, compassion, and service. And, we want to leave a legacy ‘? something uniquely ours ‘? something that it is clear that our name was on. But perhaps our greatest wish, and often our greatest fear, is that we don’t want to be forgotten. The collective presence of his fans and friends says that Bob Pressley didn’t have to worry about that, because what the heart once cherished, it will never lose.
It is now time to let the physical dimension of our relationship go, so that we can focus and hold in our memory what Bob’s life has meant to all of us and to each of us, so that we can indeed remember the gift his life has been.
‘Rapid Robert’?, the legendary ‘Bent Creek Kid’?, was my boyhood hero. My dad rarely missed a race so I was fortunate to have spent nearly every Friday night at the Asheville Motor Speedway and every Saturday night at Hickory, even traveling to the old Harris Speedway on Sunday’? cheering heartily for #54. The only time I ever attended a race at the Charlotte Motor Speedway was the one time Bob ran there, piloting that awesome #34 prepared by the Jackson Brothers. He was the finest short track driver I ever saw, and arguably the best who ever lived. I could spend hours (and have among friends) talking about the man, who has been my hero since I was nine years old.
The ability to touch one life, to reach out to just one person, is what makes life grand. Bob touched so many lives that he was golden. Each of us has their own perspective, our own personal memories of Bob. Today we must balance the tears of sorrow with the tears of joy, mix the bitter with the sweet in death and life. And, beyond the sadness and loss we now feel, we also must hold a sense of intense privilege and gratitude for having been allowed to share a part of his life. Although what we’ve lost is tremendous, what he gave us is immeasurable. To those who knew him, no explanation is necessary. To those who didn’t, no explanation is possible. With emotion in our hearts, and with love that knows no bounds, we bid farewell to our departed friend. Death only ends a life here on earth; death does not end a relationship. Bob Pressley will live forever.
‘Good night, sweet prince, and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.’
My sincerest condolences to the family of Bob Pressley.
My sympathy and prayers go out to the family of Bob. It is because of Bob that I am such a huge race fan. I grew up watching him race down by the river and at Hickory and Greeneville-pickens. We are all blessed because we knew Bob in some way or another. Now he has his greatest honor yet, Heaven! May god bless each of you and give you strength.
Robert,Charlie,Mike,Ken and Pat your dad meant alot to us. We always liked coming to the Speedway on Friday night to watch him Robert and Mike race against each other. My fondest memory is the year Him and Robert were battling for the points championship and they were 1st and 2nd and they wrecked each other in turn one and then they got on top of the cars and started fighting He will surely be missed.
My first memories of racing where at 9 years old. My grandfather took me to Hickory, Asheville, and Harris Speedways. Bob Pressley was one of the main characters in those memories. I’ll never forget, and I’ll always treasure , the enjoyment and excitement he brought to this young kid as I watched that red # 54 and then the trademark of the black primered hood. As the writing on the car reflected, he was ‘un-matched’. To Robert, Charlie and all the Pressley family. You’re in my thoughts and prayers. Keep the family strong. I’m sure Bob would want it that way.
I am so sorry to hear that Bob had lost his battle with cancer. I knew Bob and Doris from working with Barb Sanders at the race track. He will be greatly missed. My prayers go to Doris and Family.
WE all loved you bob.And bless you Doris.
I’m sorry for your loss. I pray God will be with you at this time. My prays are with you.Trust in him
Tim Lunsford Baghdad,Iraq
To the Pressley Family:
We are sorry to hear of your Loss,our Thoughts and Prayers go out to you and your Family.
He was a neighbor most of my youth while growing up in bent creek. Will miss him.
My condolences to the Pressley family on the loss of Bob.
‘Don’t mourn for me,
my gentle friend,
our ties have not been broken.
Don’t weep for me,
don’t rue my end,
leave bitter words unspoken.
I see, I feel, I hear you,
though earthly flight be stilled.
And on some bright and blessed day
we’ll meet on yonder hill.’
Sincere condolences on the loss
of your beloved Husband & Father.
We understand & share your sorrow.
Thanks for all the racing memories Bob. I have told my kids about the old days at Asheville Speedway and about the man we always pulled for. Wow, could he drive a car. Thanks Bob. Clyde Stewart
Thank You for the memories (You and Bosco).
Losing a dad you love is one of the hardest things someone can face, I pray that comfort and peace will help the family thru this terrible time.
Doris I am sorry for your loss.My thoughts and prayers are with you.If you need any thing just let me know. Pam Scott
We are very sorry to learn of Bobby’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Pressley family.
To the Pressley family ,
I am sad to hear of Bob’s passing . I grew up watching Bob , Robert and Mike down on the river . Those were the best days of my life . Every Friday , you knew that ‘ the old man ‘ was the man to beat . He is one of the best ever and always will be . I will always remember the ‘ old man ‘ in the #54 . May God comfort you and keep you . Goodbye Bob .
To The Pressley Family,
We have known Bob and his family
for many years, he will greatly
be missed, but I hope you find
comfort in knowing that he is only
gone from our sight to the beauties
of Heaven. May God Bless and keep
all of you durning this time
SO SORRY ABOUT YOUR LOSS BUT HAPPY FOR BOB’S GAIN.MAY GOD BLESS
YOU-ALL AT THIS TIME.
THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS
LARRY OWEN
Bob was really a legend to me. The first Late Model Stock race I ever ran I started on the front row at Asheville with Bob (talk about nervous!) His son Robert is one of the nicest guys that I deal with and I’m sure the apple didn’t fall far from the tree. I’m sorry he had to suffer, but he inspired many people and I pray that his doctors were able to learn from him and apply it to help others.
Dear Pressley Family,
My Dad (Sherman Forrester) was very fond of your Dad ‘Bobby’. We know what your family is going through as we lost Dad 08-18-03. (he worked for Jeff-Kim Burton and my Mom ‘Janet’ still does.) Our thoughts and prayers are with your family.
tHO WE NEVER NEW YOUR FATHER, WE WERE SADDENED TO KNOW THAT YOU HAD EXPERIENCED A LOSS FOR YOUR ENTINE FAMILY. OUR SYMPATHY ExTENDS TO YOUR FAMILY….WE ALWAYS APPRECIATED THE PRESSLEY FAMILY….WE THANK YOU FOR HELPING US OUT DURING KY’S CRISIS. I’M SORRY THAT WE LEFT A LITTLE ABRUPTLY….THINGS WEREN’T QUITE CLEAR THEN….bUT WE DO THANK YOU.
aGAIN, oUR SYMPATHIES AND PRAYERS GO TO YOUR PRECIOUS FAMILY
Our thoughts go out to the Pressley family on their loss. We’ve known Robert since the mid 90s and he always spoke affectionately of his relationship with his dad and how he got him into racing. We’ll keep the family in our thoughts.
The Manning Family
Mike, Becky, Travis, Cameron
Robert, Mike, Ken and Charlie – God’s peace and blessings be with you at this time. Watching the Pressley’s race at Asheville and Hickory has given me a life long love of the sport. We continue to follow Robert’s career and as I watched Saturday and heard the reports about your Dad’s health, we lifted the family up to God. Know that his life touched lives and that the tradition of excitement that was brought to the sport will go on. Love and prayers.
Lisa Hamilton Fowler
Michael Ingle Fowler
I am very saddened by the loss of Bob. I never missed a race on the river for years and years. His nephew Greg Randall and I traveled to Asheville each week to watch him and Mike run. We went by to see Bob and Doris quite a lot and I really enjoyed the conversations we had in their home. We even stayed most of the night with them the night Bob hit the gate on the backstreach and jumped out of the truck when they tried to take him to the doctor! Things like the passing of Bob make me feel old now. Things will never be the same as it was when Bob was running and winning. I will never forget the time he ‘pinned’ Charlie Brown against the frontstreach wall and held it wide open to prove his point! Doris, Patricia, Robert, Mike, Charlie, Kenneth, my prayers are with you. And Robert…win one for Bob!!
Dear Pressley Family,
We were so sorry to hear about Bob. We have known the family for many years and know what a great loss this is to his family and all of the people who knew him. Your family will be in our thoughts and prayers.
NOW YOUR RACING WITH THE BEST…..
Robert,We would like to send our sympathy to you and your family.Anything we can do please fill free to contact we your friends.David&Lynn Baldwin& son Joey PS your in our prayers my brothers and sisters in-Christ name
We are very sorry for your loss and your entire family will be in our prayers.
You are in my prayers and in my thoughts. My God be with the Pressley family.
Robert and Family,
Jamie and I send our sincere condolences to you, Gina and your family. Losing a parent you love and respect is one of the hardest things someone will ever have to go through. I pray that God comforts you and your family at this time of need and helps you at this trying time. I love you guys. Tom, Jamie Emily, Erin and Michael
We were just great fans of Bob and his entire family for what they did to put racing on the map from Asheville,N.C. My the Lord Bless the entire family…..
The entire Huskey family sends our love to you in this time of sorrow. We were fans of Bob at New Asheville speedway. God Bless you.
We share your sorrow and are thinking of you.
Curtis and June
Nell and LeRoy
Ken,Sonia,Kaleb,McKenzie,
We are very sorry to hear of your loss and know exactly what you’re going through. Your family is in our prayers. May God be with each one of you.
Love,
Lee & Debi Bell
Eddie & Ashley Taylor
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. He was no doubt the best race car driver of all time.
Robert, Gina, Ken & Sonia:
I was sorry to hear of your loss. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Love Brenda
Bob was a great driver and will be missed very much. He made a difference in my life.
Troy
He has finally won the biggest race ever run. May God Bless you all.
I lived in Asheville most of my life and watch Bob race at Asheville speedway from the time I was only 10 years old. I also watched Robert race and would go to the pits after the race and meet Robert and talked to him many times. I was always with Claude Wellman. My prayers are with you all right now. May God bless you and help you in your time of lose.
Deb
I’m so sorry for your loss. I am unable to attend the funeral. I have so many memories of the entire Pressley family, everything from when Trish babysat my brother and I to when my dad raced against Bob and Robert and then on to Lee racing against him at the river. I remember one particular night when Lee and Bob ran side by side lap after lap and never touched one another, after the race Bob came over and grabbed Lee around the neck and started acting like he was punching him, both of them were laughing so hard. I know Lee learned alot from him on the track and had a great respect for him. Bob was one fierce competitor til the very end. He will be missed by many and remembered by far more.
My deepest sympathy,
GOD Bless All of you Pressley’s in this time of need. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. I (Gary) had some of the best times in my life working on Bob’s race car with Charlie and Robert. When I’ve told some of the stories to my wife, one of the things I told her time and again was that we all didn’t know if we liked the racing or the fighting best. I’ll hold these memories forever and hope that each of you will be able to remember the Great man he was. Take comfort in knowing he’s in GOD’s care and no longer suffering now. May GOD grant you Peace and Comfort in this.
To all of the Pressley family, I have never meet a family that each one has touch my life in a special way. May the Lord smile down on you and may you alway remember your Dad will alway live in the hearts of the many people that he has touch.
Robert and Gina:
Our sincere condolences and our prayers are with you.
Bobby Hamilton Racing
To Doris, Trish, Robert, Charlie, Mike and Ken….Bob filled my camera lens with many memories at ‘The River’ and he will be sadly missed. I am so glad that I went to A-B Tech when Bob and Jack reminised about the ‘old days’. It was good to see Bob laughing and joking. I have so many fond memories from AMS and am fortunate to have it all captured on film. Bob is a legend in racing and that #54 will ride forever! God Bless each of you and know that ‘the old man’ is safe, not hurting and is smiling down on you.
My condolences go out to the whole Pressley family. I can remember going to AMS with my father as a child and watching Bob dominate. These were special memories for me because my father died in my teen years. Whenever I think of the red ‘?54’ car or see Robert race today I have good memories tied back to those Asheville days. Thanks to Bob for the memories.
God Bless,
Rob & Julia McDonald
Suzanne Carter
Dale & Jeanne McClure
Calling car 54, You ran a good race!
To the pressley family,our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.Thanks for all the special memories and you will always be remembered with a warm heart.
Calling car 54, You ran a good race!
My Deepest Condulances to the family
Gone but will Never be forgotten!!
Robert and family, My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this sad time. But always remember the good times with your Dad. My GOD bless you all.
Our family would like to send out our heartfelt condolences to the entire Pressley family. It is so hard to lose a loved one, and I just pray that God will be with you all as you face this time without Bob being there any longer. Such a racing legend as he is hard to find…
‘…And then one day I’ll cross the river. I’ll fight life’s final war with pain. And then as death gives way to victory, I’ll see the lights of glory and I’ll know He lives…’
May God Bless You All,
Amber Lance
To all of the Pressley Family
I used to go watch Bob race down on the river on Friday’s back in the 60’s and 70’s. I always enjoyed the races and still do.
My prayers go out to all of you during loss.
Delores Chadwick
to go watch Bob race down on
the
Mr. Pressley,
I never knew you, but I had the opportunity to speak with Robert several years ago on the telephone on a couple of occasions. May I say to you sir, a job well done! I hope that I can be the father to my son that you exemplify in Robert. I know you will be missed, but your footprint on your children’s lives will be carried on forever.
Robert and family, my thoughts and prayers are with you!
I can remember as a youth of 15 or 16 years old, Bob in a red chevrolet (car#54) and Dickie Plemmons in a 56 chevrolet (#18) racing down Brevard Road from my uncle Toy Jones’s garage in the early 1960’s. He will be missed.
Curtis Jones
TO THE PRESSLEY FAMILY
SOME PEOPLE MAKE A DIFFERENCE
JUST BY BEING WHO THEY ARE,
THEIR INNER LIGHT SHINES BRIGHT
AND TOUCHES LIVES
BOTH NEAR AND FAR,
AND EVEN WHEN THEY’RE GONE,
THEY STILL FOREVER PLAY A PART
IN THE SMILES,
THE PRICELESS MOMENTS,
THAT ARE TREASURED IN THE HEART.
MAY GOD BLESS EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU.
Dear Ken, Sonia, Kaleb, McKenzie & Family,
We are deeply saddened to hear of the loss of your father and grandfather, we know that at times like these there are so few words that we can say that will heal the pain you feel but know that you are truly in our thoughts and prayers. It can be of great comfort knowing that he is with the One and that there is no more pain. May God be with each of you and keep you in his loving embrace that you may feel his love and the love of you father and grandfather from this day forward. We love you.
Vic, Michelle, Kristin, Tyler and Emylee Rhodes
We are sorry about loss of your father and husband. Our thoughts and
prayers are with you all.He was a good race car driver.
I have enjoyed following his racing career and racing against him at the Asheville track. He will be greatly missed.
Lee Williams
I can still hear Bob coming up behind me on pit road and yelling, ‘Hey Little Ogle’. I knew he was fixing to mess with me about Larry or something I had done. I guess I miss that the most. And when I tried racing at Asheville he would sit down with me at Greenville on Saturday and tell me what he tought I should try different for the next Friday.It meant a lot to me to know that he took the time to watch me when so many fans had came to see him.I will always tell my kids what it was like growing up on the river around real men like Bob and my father. They don’t make men or racers like that anymore!
You all are in my thoughts and prayers as you go through this difficult time.
I’m sorry for your loss.
Our Condolences to the whole Pressley Family. Bob will be greatly missed by many.
I can still hear him coming out Brevard Road(the old crooked brevard road) in that old 32 B-model Ford. I never did know whether that Ford belonged to Bob or Toy Jones. This was around 1949/1950. I doubt if Bob even had a drivers license, but he could sure drive that old 60 horse Ford.
I and my son Mack have always been a Pressley fan, and Robert, we will continue to be.
Bless you all in your time of sorrow.
Harley and Mack Fender
My dad, Charles Hembree, was good friends with Bob while I was growing up. I am sorry to hear of his passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Charlene McKinney
thoughts and prayers to the family and friends.
Thanks for the meories Bob we will miss you. Vance Racing #15 Asheville Motor Speedway
Brian and Buddy
Our heartfelt condolences and prayers to the entire Pressley family. We used to go to AMS every Friday night to watch the races and really miss doing so. We still keep up with Robert though. Bob will surely be missed by a lot of people.
He was a lovely person.
Ken, Robert, Gina, Sonja, Coleman, Caleb, McKenzie, Shelby. Our deepest condolences on the loss of your father. You are a special and warm family, our thought and prayers are with you
We are sorry to hear of your loss. I know we will all meet again some day at the resurrection. Until then may God Bless your Family and comfort all of you in this time of loss.
Sincerely,
Tammy & Bob Barney
To the Pressley Family…
I am so sad to see Bob gone,but at least he wont be suffering anymore. He was a great racer and person all together. I remember going to asheville, greenville, and even Hickory and watching Bob and the family racing. He will definately never be forgotten. My family and I will certainly keep the whole Pressley Family in our prayers. May God Bless.
Mr Pressley was a great man. We had some great times as I admired his great driving ability and his wonderful personality in the times I witnessed his visits at Langley Speedway. I only hope that my time on earth can but be shaddow of the way he lived his.A truly GREAT man and he will be missed.
Our sincere sympathy to all the family. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
I had the pleasure meeting Bob in the pits when my dad raced against him at Asheville.I was nervous at first,becouse of who he was and what impact he made in racing.I miss the days I would watch Bob,my dad,Loyd,Gene and Junior Franks,and other drivers play cards.Bob was as fierce at cards as he was racing.It was a honor to know Bob.Sorry for your loss.He will always be rememberd and missed!
I loved the Asheville Motor Speedway and I loved cheering for Bob Pressley. I remember standing in the pits to have my picture taken with Bob after the races. I had a Bob Pressley scrapbook and a Bob Pressley t-shirt. His boys were great drivers but they never replaced Bob in my heart. I just wanted to know… ‘is Bob going to be there?’
Daddy Bob ‘ was the ‘Asheville Speedway’. He was loved by many and admired by all. He will be missed, but Heaven needed another rose. My thoughts and prayers are with all of the Pressley Family.
To Ken and Sonia, and family: We’re praying for you and your family to help all through this time.
Rick and Teresa Ann Cunningham
Bob was one of the greatest ever in NASCAR racing. Thanks for the memories Bob.
The Lord has received another great racer! He joins the likes of Earnhardt, Bonnett, Allison, and many others.
We are all better for having known and raced with Bob. He leaves us with his family who like Charlie and Robert carry on the Pressley traditions.
We all prayed for Bob and prayed that God would make his last lap, an easy one!
No goodbye here, rather say, I will see you someday where we are all winners everyday!
To Charlie, Allison, and Robert, I love you guys and am praying for you and your entire family during this time.
Doris and family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and the family. I really enjoyed taking care of Bod during this difficult time. Always remember that he was such a special man and will always be remembered as a legend. He was a true fighter on the track and in his battle with cancer.
My prayers are with you and the family.
HE MADE THE FINAL LAP AND TOOK THE
CHECKERD FLAG TO VICTORY!!!!
HE WILL BE IN VICTORY LANE FOREVER!!!
BOB WILL MISS BY MANY. HE WAS A GREAT PERSON AND DRIVER.
HE WILL ALWAYS BE REMEMBERED IN OUR HEART.
OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH THE WHOLE FAMILY.
TERESA MILLER AND FAMILY (MIKE’S MOM)
I grew up in Hickory and often watched Bob battle with the likes of Harry Gant, Tommy Houston, Morgan Shepherd, and Dale Earnhardt at Hickory Speedway in the ’70s. Many things would better today if we had more guys like Bob Pressley. Go #54!
Doris,
I’m so sorry to hear of Bob’s passing, I know he’s in a better place free of pain but it doesn’t keep all of us from missing him. We just hate to let go of someone we love so much.
I too remember Bob racing as a kid and I remember Daddy (Uncle Millard)always stopping down at Toy Jones garage and they would all be in there working on the cars. It was later in my life than Daddy got me interested in watching the car races. When he came to live with me in Ohio he had to turn on the races and cheer Robert on. He was an avid Dale Earnhart fan but when Robert was racing he was cheering him on. Some of Daddy’s fondest memories were spent with Bob and watching him not only race but work on his race car.
Doris while I can’t be there with you just know that this cousin is giving you the biggest hug. The road before you is hard but you will make it. You have a wonderful family and together you will cherish all the wonderful memories that you have and with that and God’s undying love you will get through this very sad time. My love to all of you as you go through this together.
Your loving cousin,
Linda
To all the Pressley Family, Marvin and I would love to extend our sympathy to all of you at the lost of a father and a good friend. We watched him often at the Speedway and know he was a good christain man. To Sonia and Kenneth who we go to church we love you both and will be praying for the whole family that God will just cradle his arms of love around all of you and bless your broken hearts. If there is anything we can do, just call. Marvin and Karen Mathews
To all the Pressley family, you are in our thoughts and prayers at this time. Tommy and Martha Houston
To the Family: We are so sorry for your loss…My dad, who went home to be with Jesus in 2001, drove a dump truck with Mr. Bob and we loved him dearly..We will never forget that red #54…Our prayers are with each one….God Bless…
The Lonny Davis Family
The Pressley Family,
You are in our thoughts and prayers. Bob will always be a hero in our hearts. He has won the final race and his victory in the Lord.
Davey & Shannon
Smart
To the the PRESSLEY families:
Just know that we are thinking of you all, in your time of loss. Like so many have already said, Bob has won the final race, for we are promised that ‘we will meet again in paradise.’ Our love, Jeff & Brenda McElrath and family
Doris, I am very sorry for your loss. Bob was a great person and will be missed. If you need anything day or night, do not hesitate to call. May God give you strength in this time of need. I Love You!
To the Pressley Family,
I can’t begin to tell you how sorry we are for your loss. I know Bob meant alot to Billy. We will all miss him. Our thoughts and prayers are with you ALL during this difficult time.
Billy, Terri, Ashley and Tyler Worley
Mamaw Doris, Sorry for your loss! I love You! Wesley
Gloria and I would like to offer our condolences in your time of sorrow.
Robert,Gina and Family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time. May God comfort you all as only He can do. Our deepest sympathy goes out to your entire family.
Our love and prayers,
Denise Reagan Scott and Family
Bradd,Justin and Jason
Sorry about you loss to the family. Ya’ll are in our thoughts and prayers.
I will always remember the years of racing at new asheville speedway.
Those were some good times for all of us.
Sincerly,
Jimmy Lineberger
Doris and Family,
Our thoughts are with you all. May God bless you always.
It sure is nice to be able to look back at the good times we had at the race track when Bob & Junior race together. They sure kept everything exciting, one minute they were ready to fight and the next, they were laughing and joking together! I guess now his in a big race with Dale or maybe Davey, who knows? One thing is for sure he is racing someone!!!
Take care,
Sharon & Eugene Leicht
To all the Pressley family, My family has always been race fans of Bob and the Pressley boys. I have always remember Bob and Car 54. Bob is no longer suffering, and he’s in heaven with my Mom & Dad, Bill & Shirley Gentry. Remember we will all be together soon. You all are in my thoughts and prayers daily.
My deepest sympathies to you and your family. Please rest assured that Bobby is up in Heaven seeing just how fast those Chariots can really go!
God Bless each and every one of you.
Billy & I sincerely wish our deepest sympathy to the whole Pressley Family.
Bob you gave me and my family many
exciting years of watching you and
all of your family taking the checkered flag at many race tracks.
Now that you have taken you final
checkered flag here on earth,you have just began a new race in heaven where your victories will
be what we all hope for in the end
of our own race.
God bless all of you Pressley’s
Bob you will be greatly missed by
all of us. I will see you one day in heaven.
To the Pressley family. Our heartfelt sympathy to the family of Bob, who with his big red car 54 and other cars, gave so much enjoyment to so many race fans at the Hendersonville Fairgrounds, Asheville-Weaverville Speedway, New Asheville Speedway and many other tracks where there was a great race to be run. God bless and be with each of you. You have a family name that will live on in the hearts of race fans. Bob was always the man you had to beat if you won down on the river.
I am sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Dinah
The whole Pressley family is in our thoughts and prayers during this time of sorrow. Please accept our sincere condolences.
To all of the Pressley family, our thoughts and prayers are with you. Bob will be missed by so many. We really enjoyed watching him race at Ams and Brevard Road.
Thank you Bob and Doris for your comforting presence and kind words at the time of our loss in January, 2003, of our brother-in-law, Dale Rogers.
It is truly a time for the celebration of the life of Bob Pressley.
God bless you all.
OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.
Dear Pressley Family,
Sorry for your loss. So few, touch people the way Bob did. It was a honor to know such a true American icon. May God bless you all!
Gerald
Alan ‘Coolie, 54’ Banks, and family, we are truely sorry for your loss, and will remember you for ever
thanks for the memories…and may God bless the family at this time
As a track official since the early 70’s I grew to know Bob & his family. He was a true icon & legend to motorsports. Bob was the same old Bob whether on the street or at the track. The racing community has truly lost one of the very best and we will continue to have very fond memories. Your friends:
Buddy, Shane & Shad Higgins
God Bless all the family of Bob, he gave all the real racing fans lots of precious memories,Bob was a true racer, where hard work an sweat won races not like todays racers where money wins races…
To the Pressley family.
We was very sorry to hear of the passing of Bob.I know how it feels to lose a parent I lost my dad 3 years ago (Frank Bryant), and through my dad I met and got to know the best racing family at AMS. I grew up watching Bob, Mike and Robert race at AMS. I spent alot of friday nights on the river, sometimes we was at Hickory on saturday and different tracks on sunday, and sometimes on mondays. My dad helped out in Bobs pits, and sometimes my mom would do the scoring for him. Bob drove my dads poorman car a couple of times. I have alot of great memories of Bob but the one that stands out the most is the night he drove his car around the track for the last time at AMS (the night they closed it down). I still keep up with Robert in the Bush series.
I know my dad is in heaven showing Bob everything there is to see, and no doubt talking about the good ole days at AMS.
I will never forget car 54.
Robert….. go win one for you dad.
Angel&Betty Bryant (Frank Bryant)
Fond and unforgetable memories of the Asheville Motor Speedway. Jack, Bosco, Harry, Morgan and Butch. It could have never been without Bob Pressley. He will long be remembered. My deepest condolences to the Pressley family.
God heals all things in time
CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY. I USE TO SEE BOB AND ALL THE OTHERS AT THE TRACK ON THE RIVER AND IT WAS GREAT TIMES. I REMEMBER ONE TIME WHEN I LIVED IN TENN AND HE CAME TO THE KINGSPORT TRACK AND TOOK ME FOR A RIDE. BOY WAS IT SCARY. THANKS BOB!! ROBERT, IAM THE GUY THAT MARKED URE LINES FOR THE FENCE A COUPLE YEARS AGO.
LP
My condolences to the whole Pressley family. Bob will be greatly missed. I don’t think there was a person that did not come in contact with Bob at some point in their life and he ALWAYS left a lasting impression.
May God be with you in this time of need.
Pam O’Kelley
My thoughts and prayers go out to
each of you.I enjoyed knowing Bob
and his family.May God Bless you
all.
The memories that we have of Bob will never be forgotten. He will always be our hero. Steven, Stephanie, Mickey and Linda Austin
Doris and family,
Please accept my symphathy for your loss. Bob was a very good friend to me as well and will be greatly missed.
God bless you,
Bill
DEAR PRESSLEY FAMILY,
THANKS FOR LETTING US BE A PART OF YOUR EXTENDED FAMILY . WE WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER BOB AS HE WAS ME & MY BROTHERS HERO WHEN WE WERE GROWING UP AS KIDS , THE PRESSLEY FAMILY WILL ALWAY BE IN OUR HEARTS .
THANK YOU BOB FOR ALL THE GREAT MEMORIES THAT YOU HAVE GIVEN THIS FAMILY AND MANY OTHER THROUGH THE YEARS.
YOU WILL ALWAYS BE MY HERO!!!!!
We are thinking of each member of the family in this time of sadness.
Bill Anderson and the employees of
Andy Oxy Co
Bob, Thank you for all the Friday Nights I shared with you in my life.
Roger hall
Dear Family of Bob Pressley, and especially Mike and Robert, whom I knew when I taught at Venable School. It is always difficult to lose a member of the family, but
God will give you the needed strength to help each of you during your period of grief.
My thoughts are with you, WLM
My heartfelt symphony goes out to the entire Pressley family.
It is difficult to lose someone so close. Take Comfort in knowing that the pain and suffering has ended and he is now happy again. Having lost my Mom to an extended illness, I know how difficult it can be. Keep him in your hearts and know that you did everything you could for him. He is already aware of that.
Charlie, Allison, Robert my thoughts and prayers are with you.
The first time I ever sae Bob was in 1965. He was standing in front of silvers body shop on haywood rd.H e had his 56 ford on the trailer. I went out there and he was showing his car to me.That was 39 years ago but I still vividly remember it to this day. I had never been to a race but I went that night and was always a Bob Pressley fan. He did not win that night, Tom Ingram did. But I did see many victories at Asheviile, Hickory, Kingsport,and Bristol.I still have a 8×10 picture that I bought down at nas of Bob and car 54.When you said tough You meant Bob Pressley.My thoughts are with all the family members.
Charlie, Allison, Robert, Gina, Coleman,Shelby & Family,
You are all in our thoughts & prayers. May God be with you during this time. We know Bob is in Heaven racing on those streets of gold,& watching over all of us!!
Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace. Psalm 37:37
We love you all,
Hoss & Linda Berry
Tracy & Jordyn Propst
You all are in our thoughts and Prayer.
Frank and Barbara Stuart
Teresa and David Messer
Jamie and Jessica Messer
robert,gina,coleman,and shelby
we are so sorry for your loss and we are thinking of you all and praying for you please let us if we can do anything for you.
tammy cash,brandon and courtney wilson
To the Pressley family:
My sincere condolences to you all. Bob gave me and my family many years of great joy watching him race at Hickory. I remember the first time I met him in 1981, it seems like it was yesterday the memory is still so vivid. He made that kind of impression on so many people. He will not be forgotten. To the people who knew him, we are indeed fortunate. May God bless the entire Pressley family and give them strength. Good luck Robert.
Sincerely,
Liz Burleson
Mike, Peggy & girls – I extend my deepest sympathies to your and your family at this sad time. my thoughts and prayers are with you.
Doris,
I just want you to now how much you ment to my Papaw. Thank you for taking care of him in these last few years. You will always be part of my family and I want you to no that. Thanks for all you have done and we all will get though it together…… I love you McKenzie
THE PRESSLEY FAMILY IS ALWAYS IN THE WINNER’S CIRCLE TO ASHEVILLE RESIDENTS! BOB PRESSLEY WILL SURELY BE MISSED AND WAS LOVED NOT ONLY BY HIS DEAR FAMILY BUT ALL HIS FANS AS WELL! BILLY JOE PRESSLEY WAS THE PASTOR OF MY CHURCH IN ASHEVILLE UNTIL HIS UNTIMELY DEATH. NO ONE CAN QUESTION THE CHRISTIAN ROOTS THIS FAMILY HAS SHARED ON AND OFF THE TRACK. MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH THE ENTIRE PRESSLEY FAMILY ESPECIALLY ROBERT PRESSLEY WH0 I ALWAYS HAVE BEEN PROUD OF AND PULLED FOR NO MATTER WHAT HE IS DRIVING! I LIVE RIGHT DOWN THE ROAD FROM ROBERT AND HIS FAMILY. MAY GOD BLESS THE ENTIRE PRESSLEY FAMILY AND KEEP YOU IN HIS LOVING ARMS!
BOB PRESSLEY HAS WON THE BIGGEST RACE OF HIS LIFE & JESUS CHRIST IS HOLDING THE CHECKER FLAG! MAY GOD BLESS THE LEGACY HE BOB LEAVES BEHIND FOR HIS FAMILY, RACE FANS AND FRIENDS!
FAITHFULLY YOURS,
GREGORY LENG
BILTMORE BAPTIST CHURCH MEMBER
Hey Papaw,
I was so young when we lost you and I could barely even understand why. It was cancer. We lost your little girl to cancer, too (My Mom). I was 23 when we lost her. 7 yrs old when we lost you. Cancer’s so mean. I was so mad when we lost Mom. And I finally understood how sad she was she she lost her Daddy to something so mean. I need to forgive you both for leaving, and thank you both, for everything.
54ever