Harold Ray Presley, son of Noah Edward Presley and Christine Presley.

He dropped out of school in the tenth grade. He was drafted into the Army in 1968 and served in Vietnam in the Twenty-ninth General Support Group. After serving four years, he received an honorable discharge and returned to Tupelo. He would later earn a GED.

Harold Ray was married to Charlene Presley, nee McMullen, formerly of Memphis, TN. They had three children together, two sons, Brad and Patrick, and a daughter, Jada.

Their child's memorial, Patrick Ray Presley F/G Memorial #129960158

Harold Ray was elected the Sheriff of Lee County Mississippi, in 1993, by special election, after Sheriff Jack Shirley died. Harold Ray was re-elected in 1995. Prior to his election in 1993, he was head of the Narcotics Unit. Harold Ray joined the Sheriff's office as Patrol Deputy in 1988.

As Sheriff, Harold Ray initiated and was a leader of the D.A.R.E program. He spoke at local churches about drug abuse and addiction in young people and youth abuse. He was selected "Best of the Best Officers" for five years. Harold Ray was tough on drugs, famous for stopping the drug trade and drug traffic in Lee County.

Harold Ray worked at Palmer's Big Star in his younger years. His friend, manager at the bank next door, quoted Harold Ray as stating "..the view from the front seat of a patrol car looked different than the back seat"! Harold Ray was rough and rowdy in his younger days and joked that he had never ridden in the front of a patrol car.

Harold Ray followed in the footsteps of his father, Noah, who served as Mayor of East Tupelo 1935 and also Lee County Sherriff. Like his father, he always wore khakis instead of a uniform, and his cowboy boots.

Harold Ray was predeceased by his father, Noah and brother, Eack Presley. He was second cousin to Elvis.

As Lee County Sheriff, while protecting the people of Lee County, Harold Ray was murdered in the line of duty during a 6 JUL 2001 shoot-out with a Billy Ray Stone, an alleged kidnapping suspect of Charlene Wright, on Fellowship Road. Stone killed Tupelo resident Bobby Norris. Presley pushed a deputy clear of gunfire and was struck six times, mortally injured. He fired back at Stone, killing him with one shot. Ms. Wright died the following day from injuries.

Presley services were held at Harrisburg Baptist Church, with a crowded main sanctuary, balcony, choir loft and lobby. The burial procession stretched for more than three miles. Harold Ray was a Vietnam veteran and was buried with full military honors.

Harold Ray loved to fish. He was a great man, very kind and loved by many. He is still missed today by all his friends and family. He has been remembered to always have a smile and pull pranks on friends.

Harold Ray's brother, Larry Wayne Presley, was elected as Lee County Sheriff by special election in NOV 2001.

An 8' tall x 11' wide granite memorial monument in honor of Sheriff Harold Ray Presley was erected in August 2008, which also honored six other fallen officers. The 7,766 pound monument, located in front of the Sheriff's office, disappeared one night in January 2008 during bad weather and high winds. The memorial monument was funded by donations totaling $19,000, however, it was not insured and the county cannot pay to replace the monument. The monument was by Everlasting Granite Memorial Company out of Georgia. Rumors have swirled about how it was destroyed by a backhoe or destroyed with explosives. It could possibly be replaced during an expansion or the building of a new jail. Regardless, it is no longer there.

An article was published in the Tupelo Daily Journal on 6 JULY 2021 by Brandon Presley to memorialize Harold Ray's passing 20 years earlier. "Twenty years ago today, in the wee hours of the morning, Lee County lost a Sheriff and I lost a father-figure. My uncle, Sheriff Harold Ray Presley was murdered in the line of duty protecting the people of Lee County. Big, bold, brave yet a gentle giant in many ways, Harold Ray was larger than life. His loss leaves a hole in the hearts of so many who knew, loved, admired this big man. He was a hands on leader and working Sheriff, two characteristics that led to his death... If there was danger, he was the first one on the scene and the first one through the door. Compassionate and caring, Harold Ray instituted the first Alcoholics Anonymous and GED programs to help prisoners recover and return to society. Because of his reputation as a working Sheriff, he won the Buford Pusser Law Enforcement Officer of the year award, a national award given in the name of the legendary Tennessee Sheriff who was the basis for the movie, "Walking Tall". Until the end, personally risking his life pursuing a kidnapping suspect, Harold Ray Presley walked tall too. He's missed by so many. RIP, Harold Ray."

Find a Grave Memorial #23379 HAROLD RAY PRESLEY created 24 Jul 2001 and transferred by Bobby Kelly from Find A Grave to Suzanne E Presley and maintained by Suzanne E Presley, grand niece of Harold Ray Presley.
Last update 11 JUL 2021