October 13, 1972 – September 5, 2025
David Owen Cress, 52, of Ridgeland, Mississippi, passed away peacefully on September 5, 2025, at St. Dominic’s Hospital, surrounded by family.
Born on October 13, 1972, in Jackson, Mississippi, David was the son of Gary (Pam) Cress and Elizabeth Price Cox (the late Michael Cox). He lived a life full of passion for the things he loved—his family, his career, sports, history, and the joy of learning. His smile and energy left a lasting impression on everyone who knew him.
David was a graduate of Watauga High School in Boone, NC, where his talent and passion for the performing arts earned him recognition as the state’s top high school actor. He then received the prestigious Presidential Scholarship to Wake Forest University. He went on to earn his undergraduate degree from Belhaven College and later received a master’s degree from Mississippi College, graduating Summa Cum Laude.
He dedicated his career to education, serving as Director of Innovative Schools for the Mississippi Department of Education. In this role, he worked tirelessly to help high school students explore professional programs and career paths before college, building strong partnerships with companies such as Raytheon, Amazon, and Nissan. Through this work, he created one of the state’s strongest pipelines from classroom to career. He also taught at Madison Central and Rosa Scott, inspiring students through subjects ranging from multimedia and communications to history.
Beyond his career, David’s passions defined him—he loved the New England Patriots, comic books, history, and most of all, his family. He believed in blazing new trails and improving education in Mississippi, leaving behind a legacy of service, commitment, and kindness.
David is survived by his daughter, Anna Meadows Wild (Dakota); his son, Gunner Cress; his grandson, Blaze Wild; his parents, Gary (Pam) Cress and Elizabeth Price Cox (the late Michael Cox); and his siblings, Blake Cress (Kelly), Stephen Cox (Sabrina), and Kristen Cress Lewis (Shannon). He was a proud uncle to Davis and Cole Cress, and Arden and Laurel Lewis.
He was preceded in death by Michael Jeffrey Cox, and his grandparents, Allie Rhea Price and John Thomas Price, and Wyona Bowers Cress and Kenneth Blake Cress.
Services to celebrate David’s life will be held on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at Parkway Funeral Home, with visitation beginning at 12:30 p.m.
David will be remembered as a proud father, devoted grandfather, loving son and brother, and loyal friend. His joy, positivity, and laughter will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.
