Howard Thomas "Tom" Cress Howard Thomas “Tom” Cress Jr., 76, of St. Albans, passed away Monday July 26, 2010 at The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore City, Maryland after a short illness. Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Howard Thomas Sr. and Clara Elizabeth Faultineer Cress. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by wife, Clara Elizabeth “Betty” Hughes Cress; brother, Donald Eugene Cress and sister, Linda Sue Cress Butcher. Tom worked in fire protection for 50 + years as a sprinkler fitter and designer working through local #669 in Florida and 821 in Ohio. He was a man of faith. Tom was a long-time member of Freedom Christian Center Church, Teays Valley and recently supported the Christ the Rock Church, Radnor, Ohio. Tom was an active man throughout his life ; racing go-carts, scuba diving, flying and ballroom dancing. Tom also loved and was an avid fan and frequent visitor of Disney World. His family was the most important aspect of his life. He loved spending time with his childen, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Tom is survived by his wife, Jeanne Cress; sons, Terry Gene Cress and wife Ruth Ann of Hollywood, Fla., William Daniel Cress and wife Becky of New Bloomington, Ohio and Dale Stuart Cress of Clewiston, Fla; step-daughters, Tiffany Matics-Machusak and husband Kevin Machusak, Erica Lea Hartline and husband Michael Hartline; grandchildren, Sean William Cress, Heather Lynn Cress Stark, Michael Alan Cress, Eric Thomas Cress, Stone Michael Hartline, Zane Mathew Hartline, Lilyan Elizabeth Hartline and Presley Matics Machusak; great-grandchildren, Mackenzie Rae Cress, Ethan William Cress and a third great-grandchild on the way; siblings, Jerry Cress, Larry Cress and Connie Kozey Bennett. Funeral service will be held at 2:00pm Saturday July 31, 2010 at Bartlett-Chapman Funeral Home, 409 Sixth Avenue, St. Albans with Pastor Harley Cline officiating. Friends may call two hours prior to the service Saturday at the funeral home. A graveside service will be held at 1:30pm Sunday August 1, 2010 at the Claybourne Cemetery, Rt. 37 Richwood, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, donations in Tom’s name may be made to the American Cancer Society,301 RHL Blvd, Charleston, WV 25311 or to The National Kidney Foundation, 700 5th Avenue, 4th Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15219 |