JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Henry Donald Preslar, Henry to those who knew him late in life, Donald or Don to friends and family, and Dad and Grandaddy to a few of us. Donald was born in Carthage, North Carolina, the son of Reuben Alva and Pearl Martin Preslar.
He grew up in Hamlet, graduating from Hamlet High School in 1950 and from Kings Business College in Charlotte in 1951.
Donald moved to Atlanta, Georgia, in 1951, where he met the love of his life, Joyce Foskey, and they wed on Feb. 17, 1952. Donald worked for CSX Railroad and its predecessors, moving to Jacksonville, Florida, with the family and becoming an instrumental part of the team that computerized the railroad’s payroll systems.
Donald served as deacon in several Baptist churches (in Atlanta and Jacksonville). He was a member of Deermeadows Baptist Church for the past 31 years. He also was an active member of the Leroy Duncan Masonic Lodge in Atlanta prior to the family’s relocation.
After retirement, Donald helped build homes for Habitat for Humanity, and served as the unofficial mayor of Southern Grove.
Donald is survived by his wife of 70 years, Joyce; daughters, Ellen and Karen (Gary); sons, Don and Dan (Barbara); granddaughter, Olivia; step-grandsons, Seth and Chris; sisters, Grace (Jud) and Beth (Carnie); brother, Melvin; and their families.
