Obituary of Jacob Priester

Dr. Jacob John Priester Dr. Priester passed away peacefully, with his family by his side, on Monday, September 5, 2011. He was born on August 23, 1921 in Saratoga Springs, New York, the son of Jacob Emanuel Priester and Helene Trautwein Priester. Bud, as he was affectionately known, was a graduate of Castle Heights Military Academy in Lebanon, Tennessee. He spent two years at Bryant College in Providence, RI when the US Army called him to Camp Croft in Spartanburg, SC where he was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in 1942. In Spartanburg, he met the love of his life, Martha Cannon and they were married on April 10, 1944. He was promoted to First Lieutenant and was a part of the 79th Infantry Division, landing on Omaha Beach on June 12, 1944. He was awarded the Bronze Star of Valor and two Purple Hearts from wounds suffered in action in Northern France. After recuperation, Dr. Priester was assigned to the Staff and Judge Advocate in Paris, France. He rejoined the 79th Division and was promoted to Captain and Company Commander of the occupation forces in Dortman, Germany. After leaving the military, Dr. Priester attended Lincoln Chiropractic College in Indianapolis, Indiana. Upon graduation, he and Martha moved to Charlotte, NC where he founded Priester Chiropractic. Dr. Priester loved his patients and believed in treating them emotionally as well as physically. He was a true healer, caring only to help his patients relieve their pain and make a difference in their lives. In his early years, Dr Priester taught an adult Sunday School class at St. John Methodist Church. He was an Elder Emeritus at Covenant Presbyterian Church, a member of Myers Park Country Club where he served on the board of directors, and he was a member of the NC Chiropractic Association. He took great pleasure in his family, as well as in the sports of golf and skiing. Dr. Priester was predeceased by his beloved wife of 65 years, Martha Cannon Priester. He is survived by his daughter, Martha (Marcy) P. Choate and her husband, William M., his son, Dr. John J. Priester and his wife Patricia P., his grandchildren, W. Merritt Choate, Jr. of Palo Alto, Ca., John J.C. Choate of Nashville, Tenn., Alison P. Rainero and husband Steven of Bristol, Va., John J. Priester, Jr. and wife Katherine, P. Hayden Priester and Patrick L. Priester all of Charlotte, and two great grandchildren, Louis S. Rainero, III. and Eva Grace Rainero. He is also survived by one brother, Russell M. Priester and his wife, Marion; and a sister, Helen P. Spickerman;and several nieces and a nephew. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, September 8th at 2:00 p.m. at Covenant Presbyterian Church with the Reverend Dr. Robert W. Henderson officiating. The family will greet friends at a reception following the service in the Fellowship Hall. The family sends heartfelt thanks to the Healthcare Unit of Sharon Towers where Dr. Priester spent the past two years and to Marva Marvin and her loving staff including Andres Noriega, and to Dr. Joe Camp, a devoted friend. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Covenant Presbyterian Church, 1000 East Morehead St., Charlotte, NC 28204 or to Presbyterian Hospice and Palliative Care, PO Box 33549, Charlotte, NC 28233.