Fred W. Preston, age 87, of Mount Gilead, passed away early Thursday morning, February 17, 2011, at Marion General Hospital following a brief illness.
On February 23, 1923, Fred was born in Johnson County, Kentucky, the son of the late John and Lilly Mae (Childers) Preston.
He graduated from Oil Springs, Kentucky High School in the class of 1941.
Shortly following graduation after working for a brief period of time in Akron, Ohio, Fred was drafted into the U.S. Army. A veteran of World War II, he served in the military police as an M.P. at an American base in Germany. He carried pride for serving his country until his final day, and he was also proud to be able to help keep the Germans in check.
After his honorable discharge from the Army, Fred found work making airline parts for the Pratt and Whitney Company in Hartford, Connecticut. While there, he was blessed with the birth of his beloved daughter, Karen.
After several years in Connecticut, Fred transferred to the North American Aviation Company to work with his uncle Guff, as a sheet metal layout worker for over 17 years. He then transferred to Industrical Nucleonics for more stable work, again working with sheet metal. This company changed hands to AccuRay and lastly A.B.B. before his retirement in 1988.
In the fall of 1966, Fred met the love of his life, Betty Preston at a social club and they quickly knew they were made for each other. A few months later, Fred and Betty were married on January 20, 1967, and they have cherished their forty four wonderful years of marriage together ever since. Betty said it best when she simply said about her husband, Fred, “he was quite a man.”
Having a green thumb, Fred loved to plant and tend to “whatever he wanted,” his family said emphatically, as he made sure everyone knew it was his vegetable and flower garden. He was able to grow quite a crop every season, and “some of the biggest sweet potatoes you have ever seen.” He was diligent and thorough when working in his yard, and he also loved watching the birds around his garden at home.
“A good Christian man,” Fred did not need to go to church every Sunday as he was very faithful in his own way. He even read the Bible from cover to cover several times.
A hard working, dignified man of honor and respect, Fred never was one who wanted any credit or accolades for anything he had done. Rather, he was a shy and withdrawn man who preferred peace and quite at home with his family.
Another reason he was a bit of a “home body,” was because no one could cook quite like his wife, Betty. He loved her “good home cooked meals,” especially because she made things just the way he liked them. She would even go as far as putting a piece of cheddar cheese on his warm apple pie, because that was the way he wanted it.
With a love for all music, Fred was a closet harmonica and guitar player. Again, because of his shy nature, he much preferred to play when he was all by himself.
Fred will be dearly missed by his wife, Betty Preston of Mount Gilead; his daughter, Karen (David) Wright of Louisa, Kentucky; two grandsons: Christopher (Amy) Thompson and Joseph (Tonya) Thompson; three great grandchildren: Noah, Gibson and Bailyn Thompson; a sister, Ruth Ann (Lindsey) Cyrus of Columbus; a step son, Michael (Geri) Park of Cardington; step-grandchildren: Annette (Randy) Miller, Barbara (Ted) Lyman, Andrew Jackson, Jessica Jackson, Mike Park and children: Sophia, Corrine, Lara; and many other relatives and friends.
The Preston family will greet friends from 5 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, February 20, 2011, at the Snyder Funeral Home, 76 S. Main St., Mount Gilead. Services honoring his life of integrity and respect will also be held there on Monday at 11:00 a.m., with Pastor Dennis Braun and Densil Wright officiating. Burial with military honors provided by the V.F.W. Post 8054 and AmVets Post 87 will follow in Maple Grove Cemetery in Chesterville.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Morrow County Veterans Services Office, 619 W Marion Rd # 107, Mount Gilead, OH 43338.
For those wishing to express their private condolences online to Fred’s family, you may do so by visiting www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.
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