predecessor
PRED-uh-ses-ernounMeaning a person who held a job or role before someone else
Memory hook PRE-DESK-essor: at the DESK before you. Edwin carries his box out the door, and Lin sits down at his old desk; the one who had the desk before her is her predecessor.
The new coach kept many of the drills from her predecessor.
In context Unlike his predecessor, who rarely left the office, the new principal visited every classroom during his first week.
Similar forerunner, previous holder, precursor
Opposite successor
From Late Latin praedecessor: prae- (before) + decessor (one who has left an office), from decedere (to go away).