Mr. Calvin Ray Cress, 83, of Advance died Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2016 at Forsyth Medical Center.

He was born the only child to Hobert Ray and Capitola Bost Cress on Nov. 1, 1932 in Mecklenburg County. He was married to the love of his life, Joan May, on July 1, 1953 at Augsburg Lutheran Church by Rev. Ray Fisher for 63 years.  He was employed by J.C. Penney during high school and later by AT&T Western Electric (Lucent Technologies-Reynolda Rd.) where he worked for 37 years as a technical writer. He joined the U.S. Marine Corp from 1953-1957 attaining the rank of sergeant and served on the USS Missouri. He graduated from Griffith High School and later at ICS. As a youth, he was a Boy Scout and was inducted into the Order of the Arrow. After retiring, he enjoyed golfing, woodworking, gardening, driving his Kubota tractor, cutting trees for the firewood, camping and spending time with his wife and family. He also served as the co-chair of the board of trustees of Macedonia Moravian Church where they built a half-million dollar educational building in 1988 that was dedicated without a debt. He served as a church diener and an Adult Sunday School teacher.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Surviving: his wife Joan; 3 children, Christine Miller (Ronnie) of Snow Hill, Dianna “DeDe” Pulliam Newman of Lewisville and Angela “Angie” Cress Jamie of Advance; 7 grandchildren, Richard Cress Pulliam of Winston-Salem, Lauren Pulliam of Lewisville, Nicholas Pulliam of Winston-Salem, Amanda Jo-Wyn Miller Morris (John) of New Bern, Ashley Joyce Miller of Snow Hill and Jennifer and Stephanie Jamie of Advance; 2 great-grandchildren, John Charles “Scoot” Morris III and Anna Jo-Wyn Morris of New Bern.

A celebration of life service was held 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 30 at Macedonia Moravian Church with the Rev. Hampton Morgan officiating. The family received friends following the service.

Memorials: Autism Society, NC Special Olympics of Davie County, Macedonia Moravian Church or to a charity of the donor’s choice.

Condolences: www.hayworth-miller.com.