Phil Howard Pressler

Phil Howard Pressler, 85, longtime Lordsburg resident and retired educator passed away Thursday, January 22, 2026 in the comfort of his home. Visitation will be Friday morning January 30, 2026 from 10:00 to 11:00am at the Lordsburg High School gymnasium where a celebration of his life will begin at 11 O' clock with Reverend Jesse Liles and Reverend Ron Cross officiating. Concluding services will follow at Mountain View Cemetery.

Phil was born December 26, 1940 in San Antonio, Texas to Howard Adam and Elise Gillette Pressler. He attended school in Luling, Texas where he graduated in 1959. He served his country honorably in the United States Navy and in 1962 attended the Naval School Of Music. During his military career Phil served on the USS Kitty Hawk aircraft carrier during the Vietnam War, and being a member of the U.S. Navy Band had the privilege to play for President Eisenhower, Vice President Nixon, and JFK. He attended college at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas where he earned his Master of Fine Arts . While teaching music at Ranger Junior College he met and married Mary Mollie Mitchell in 1971. Together they moved to Lordsburg in August of 1972 where he was the band director for 5th-12th Grades for the next 24 years, retiring in 1995.

At one time he had over 100 Students in the high school band, the largest 2A band in New Mexico. In 1996-1997 he was inducted into the New Mexico Music Educators Hall Of Fame.

He was a member of the Mesilla Valley Concert Band in Las Cruces for over 20 years. In 2013 the Phil Pressler Iron Man Award was named in his honor and given to an outstanding Lordsburg High School band student. He was also a member of the Concert Band of the Southwest in Silver City and the Texas Bandmasters Association. He served the First Baptist Church of Lordsburg as the Director of Music from 1973 to 2023, also served as a teacher and deacon. He was a Grand Master of the Lordsburg Masonic Lodge, a member of the Las Cruces Shriners, Lordsburg Elks Lodge BPOE #1813, the American Legion and served on the Lordsburg Hidalgo County Museum Board.

Phil is survived by his wife of over 54 years, Mary Mollie Pressler, son Darin Day (Cherome), daughter Dana Day (Johnny), 15 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren, and two biological sons from a previous marriage, Marc and John Snow. He was preceded in death by his parents and son, Damon Day.

Pallbearers will be Daniel Day, Marshall Day, Davis Day, Derek Day, Damon Hovey and Andre Hovey. Honorary pallbearers are Art Mallot, Matt Seltzer and Jim Culberson.