Gene Morgan Presson

Gene Morgan Presson, beloved husband, father, brother, and friend, passed away peacefully on January 9, 2026, in Durham, North Carolina. Born on June 28, 1940, in Charlotte, North Carolina, Gene was the oldest son of the late Ruth and Cecil Presson. He spent his final moments surrounded by love and the calming presence of his devoted wife, Gerda.

Gene was a gentle soul and a true Southern gentleman—kind, steady, and quietly strong. He lived his life with integrity, generosity, and a deep devotion to his family. Those who knew Gene will remember his warm smile, thoughtful nature, and the way he made others feel at ease simply by being himself.

A proud United States Army veteran, Gene served from June 1959 to June 1961. His sense of duty and quiet patriotism remained an important part of who he was.

Gene earned a degree in Electronics from Old Dominion University, laying the foundation for a long and meaningful career. He devoted much of his professional life to technology and education. As a Tech Instructor at Northern Telecom in Raleigh, North Carolina, from 1981 to 2001, he took great pride in mentoring young people entering the tech field. He was not just a teacher, but a guide and encourager, always willing to share his knowledge and experience. Earlier in his career, Gene worked at AT&T in Norfolk, the Stanford Research Institute in Nevada, Dana Transport in Laurinburg, North Carolina, Pfizer in Columbia, Maryland—where he played a role in the development of early CAT scanners—and Corning Glass Works R&D Labs, where his curiosity and innovative spirit flourished for many years.

His work was only one part of his life, though. Gene truly came alive outdoors, especially in the North Carolina mountains, where he found peace, joy, and a deep sense of belonging—most of all when sharing those moments with family.

He loved telling stories—often with a twinkle in his eye—and could easily hold a room with memories from his travels, work, and adventures. Gene expressed his creativity through woodworking, particularly woodturning, crafting beautiful pieces that reflect his patience and artistry. He also loved skiing, photography, and travel, always eager to explore new places and capture meaningful moments along the way.

Above all else, Gene cherished his family. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Van, and his son Lee. He is survived by his loving wife, Gerda; his son, Eric; his brother and sister-in-law, Curtis and Natalia; his stepdaughters and sons-in-law, Jennifer and Andy Gibson, and Cathy and Josh Novak; and his granddaughters, Nicole Rekrut, Ashley Novak, and Sarah Novak. Each of them carries forward a part of Gene’s kindness, wisdom, and quiet humor.

Gene will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by all whose lives he touched. As we celebrate his life, we hold close the love, laughter, and stories he shared so freely. His spirit remains woven into the mountain air he loved so dearly—a peaceful reminder of a life well lived and a man who will never be forgotten.

Gene's memorial has been scheduled. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Special Olympics of NC https://sonc.net/support/give/

DUE TO POTENTIAL WEATHER THIS SATURDAY, 
GENE'S MEMORIAL HAS BEEN POSTPONED TO A LATER DATE.

WE ARE WORKING TO FIND A NEW DATE AND WILL UPDATE HERE.

Saturday, January 31st at 10:00am

Few Interfaith Chapel
2600 Croasdaile Farm Parkway
Durham NC 27705