Georgia Louise Cress

Georgia was born on March 1, 1933 in Miami County, Ohio to Oliver and Edna Stager. She lived in Ohio throughout her school years, graduating from Tippecanoe High School in 1951. At Tippecanoe, she enjoyed participating in many school activities, including playing the trumpet in the marching band. After graduation, Georgia moved to Washington DC and went to work with the FBI. However, after working at the FBI for a short time, she returned to Ohio, where she met a local man who was embarking on a career as an Air Force pilot – Kermit Ivan Cress. Georgia and Kermit were married on Oct. 23, 1953 in Troy, Ohio. Through-out the years, Georgia was a devoted wife, mother and military spouse. While enjoying military life and all that entailed, her most treasured role was that of devoted homemaker and mother to her three children. Throughout the years, she participated in outdoor activities and sports with her family, cooked and baked for friends and family, traveled, met lots of new people and made many friends. She was an avid reader and lover of bridge.

As part of an Air Force family, Georgia was provided opportunities to live in five different states and experience life at different Air Force bases. These sites included Waco, Texas; Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio; Fairbanks, Alaska; Hamilton AFB, California; Tipp City, Ohio (while Kermit was stationed overseas); and Peterson Field in Colorado Springs, Colorado. While supporting her pilot husband and raising three children, Georgia gained the skills and confidence to become a self-described “tough old bird.” Her grit, determination, confidence and ability to meet any challenge was unmatched.

Georgia was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Kermit Ivan Cress, and her youngest son, Daniel Bert Cress, as well as parents Oliver and Edna Stager, sister Ercelene and brothers Elden and Carl. Survivors include two children and their spouses, Connie Scott (husband Greg Scott) of Laramie, Wyoming and Steven Cress (wife Linda Cress) of Colorado Springs, Colorado. She is also survived by grandsons Nicholas Cress, Brian Cress (wife Beth, great-grandsons Carter and Henry), and Terry Cress (wife Jackie, great grandson Caleb; great granddaughter Madison). Other survivors include her sister Alice (Stager) Mote. along with numerous nieces, nephews, in-laws and friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the American Macular Degeneration Foundation (AMDF) would be most appreciated. http://www.macular.org