JUDGE STEPHEN FRANKLIN PRESLAR, 90, died March 2,
2009, Texas Independence Day.
Stephen was born to Sanford & Cora Preslar in Coleman
County, TX, on March 27, 1918. He was raised in Ranger,
TX where he attended Ranger High School and Ranger
Junior College later being chosen outstanding Alumni by
the class of 1972. From 1940 thru 1950 Judge Preslar
worked in Washington D.C. as a fingerprint specialist
with the FBI, an Officer for the Capital Police Force,
and an elevator operator for Senators at the Senate
building. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he was
a pilot. During this period he graduated from George
Washington School of Law. Judge Preslar returned to his
beloved Texas where he practiced law in McCamey for 13
years; was elected County Attorney and later District
Judge for the 112 Judicial District. In 1963 he was
appointed by Governor John Connally to the 8th Court
of Appeals in El Paso, Texas where he served for 40
years as Chief Justice. Judge Preslar loved spending
time with his friends on the golf course and he enjoyed
spending time caring for his home where he maintained
fruit and pecan trees. The Judge cared deeply for others
and helped many throughout his life.
He was preceded in death by his sons Stephen Clifford
and Samuel Hardie Preslar. At the time of his death, he
was survived by his bride of 62 years, Avis McKelvain
Preslar (RHS-1935), son Robert Lee Preslar, and his wife
Susan. "Gran Gran" as he was known has four granddaughters,
Kim, Alison, Sarah and Kelsey and two great-grandsons,
Dean and Vaughn. His brother was Dee Preslar (RHS-1931)
and sister Eula Preslar Weber (RHS-1928).