Donald Reed Preston Sr., 92, a longtime Gila Valley resident, died peacefully May 12 at home in St. David, where he had resided for the last several years.
Don was born in Alberta, Canada, on Sept. 2, 1914, the son of Millard Fillmore and Bertha Rogers Preston, and the sixth of eight children. His family returned to Pima when he was 2 years old. His maternal grandfather, Joseph Knight Rogers, was one of the founders of Pima and introduced the bill in Legislature creating Graham County in 1881. His paternal grandfather, Thomas Preston, was an early settler in Pima from West Virginia, having fought in the Civil War.
Don married Verlon Kempton in 1936, and they are the parents of seven children: Donald Reed Preston Jr. (Karen) of St. David, Carole Pursley (Bob) of Central, Jennifer Crotts (Harve) of Tucson, Fran Welker, deceased (Phil), Stephen (Donna) of Pima, Stan, deceased (Mary) and Susan Pollock (Brad) of St. David; 32 grandchildren; and 64 great-grandchildren.
The family lived in Clifton for a number of years, where Don owned the Shell Oil bulk plant and gas stations. He also worked as a rancher there. After living for a time in Duncan, they returned to Safford, where Don owned Preston Realty and was an agent for Farm Bureau Insurance, winning several awards as a top performer. He was active in the community and served for several years on the State Community College Board.
Don and Verlon were faithful members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many callings throughout their lives. They were early members of the Clifton Branch of the church, where Don served in the Branch Presidency. They worked hard to raise funds to build the beautiful chapel there.
Don served on the High Council in the Safford Stake and was serving in the Sunday School Presidency in St. David at the time of his death. Don and Verlon also served as missionaries for their church, at the Los Angeles Temple visitor center in 1984, one of their favorite times. Verlon passed away in 2003.
Don was a cowboy at heart and would gladly have spent his life horseback riding the open range, but he loved his family above all else. Don (“Cowboy Grandpa”) was greatly beloved by his family and will be sorely missed.
Eastern Arizona Courier, Safford, Arizona
Posted: Wednesday, May 23, 2007
The above obituary transcribed and graciously shared by Sandi, Find A Grave contributor #47159889.
Don was born in Alberta, Canada, on Sept. 2, 1914, the son of Millard Fillmore and Bertha Rogers Preston, and the sixth of eight children. His family returned to Pima when he was 2 years old. His maternal grandfather, Joseph Knight Rogers, was one of the founders of Pima and introduced the bill in Legislature creating Graham County in 1881. His paternal grandfather, Thomas Preston, was an early settler in Pima from West Virginia, having fought in the Civil War.
Don married Verlon Kempton in 1936, and they are the parents of seven children: Donald Reed Preston Jr. (Karen) of St. David, Carole Pursley (Bob) of Central, Jennifer Crotts (Harve) of Tucson, Fran Welker, deceased (Phil), Stephen (Donna) of Pima, Stan, deceased (Mary) and Susan Pollock (Brad) of St. David; 32 grandchildren; and 64 great-grandchildren.
The family lived in Clifton for a number of years, where Don owned the Shell Oil bulk plant and gas stations. He also worked as a rancher there. After living for a time in Duncan, they returned to Safford, where Don owned Preston Realty and was an agent for Farm Bureau Insurance, winning several awards as a top performer. He was active in the community and served for several years on the State Community College Board.
Don and Verlon were faithful members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many callings throughout their lives. They were early members of the Clifton Branch of the church, where Don served in the Branch Presidency. They worked hard to raise funds to build the beautiful chapel there.
Don served on the High Council in the Safford Stake and was serving in the Sunday School Presidency in St. David at the time of his death. Don and Verlon also served as missionaries for their church, at the Los Angeles Temple visitor center in 1984, one of their favorite times. Verlon passed away in 2003.
Don was a cowboy at heart and would gladly have spent his life horseback riding the open range, but he loved his family above all else. Don (“Cowboy Grandpa”) was greatly beloved by his family and will be sorely missed.
Eastern Arizona Courier, Safford, Arizona
Posted: Wednesday, May 23, 2007
The above obituary transcribed and graciously shared by Sandi, Find A Grave contributor #47159889.
Donald Reed Preston Sr., 92, a longtime Gila Valley resident, died peacefully May 12 at home in St. David, where he had resided for the last several years.
Don was born in Alberta, Canada, on Sept. 2, 1914, the son of Millard Fillmore and Bertha Rogers Preston, and the sixth of eight children. His family returned to Pima when he was 2 years old. His maternal grandfather, Joseph Knight Rogers, was one of the founders of Pima and introduced the bill in Legislature creating Graham County in 1881. His paternal grandfather, Thomas Preston, was an early settler in Pima from West Virginia, having fought in the Civil War.
Don married Verlon Kempton in 1936, and they are the parents of seven children: Donald Reed Preston Jr. (Karen) of St. David, Carole Pursley (Bob) of Central, Jennifer Crotts (Harve) of Tucson, Fran Welker, deceased (Phil), Stephen (Donna) of Pima, Stan, deceased (Mary) and Susan Pollock (Brad) of St. David; 32 grandchildren; and 64 great-grandchildren.
The family lived in Clifton for a number of years, where Don owned the Shell Oil bulk plant and gas stations. He also worked as a rancher there. After living for a time in Duncan, they returned to Safford, where Don owned Preston Realty and was an agent for Farm Bureau Insurance, winning several awards as a top performer. He was active in the community and served for several years on the State Community College Board.
Don and Verlon were faithful members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many callings throughout their lives. They were early members of the Clifton Branch of the church, where Don served in the Branch Presidency. They worked hard to raise funds to build the beautiful chapel there.
Don served on the High Council in the Safford Stake and was serving in the Sunday School Presidency in St. David at the time of his death. Don and Verlon also served as missionaries for their church, at the Los Angeles Temple visitor center in 1984, one of their favorite times. Verlon passed away in 2003.
Don was a cowboy at heart and would gladly have spent his life horseback riding the open range, but he loved his family above all else. Don (“Cowboy Grandpa”) was greatly beloved by his family and will be sorely missed.
Eastern Arizona Courier, Safford, Arizona
Posted: Wednesday, May 23, 2007
The above obituary transcribed and graciously shared by Sandi, Find A Grave contributor #47159889.
Don was born in Alberta, Canada, on Sept. 2, 1914, the son of Millard Fillmore and Bertha Rogers Preston, and the sixth of eight children. His family returned to Pima when he was 2 years old. His maternal grandfather, Joseph Knight Rogers, was one of the founders of Pima and introduced the bill in Legislature creating Graham County in 1881. His paternal grandfather, Thomas Preston, was an early settler in Pima from West Virginia, having fought in the Civil War.
Don married Verlon Kempton in 1936, and they are the parents of seven children: Donald Reed Preston Jr. (Karen) of St. David, Carole Pursley (Bob) of Central, Jennifer Crotts (Harve) of Tucson, Fran Welker, deceased (Phil), Stephen (Donna) of Pima, Stan, deceased (Mary) and Susan Pollock (Brad) of St. David; 32 grandchildren; and 64 great-grandchildren.
The family lived in Clifton for a number of years, where Don owned the Shell Oil bulk plant and gas stations. He also worked as a rancher there. After living for a time in Duncan, they returned to Safford, where Don owned Preston Realty and was an agent for Farm Bureau Insurance, winning several awards as a top performer. He was active in the community and served for several years on the State Community College Board.
Don and Verlon were faithful members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many callings throughout their lives. They were early members of the Clifton Branch of the church, where Don served in the Branch Presidency. They worked hard to raise funds to build the beautiful chapel there.
Don served on the High Council in the Safford Stake and was serving in the Sunday School Presidency in St. David at the time of his death. Don and Verlon also served as missionaries for their church, at the Los Angeles Temple visitor center in 1984, one of their favorite times. Verlon passed away in 2003.
Don was a cowboy at heart and would gladly have spent his life horseback riding the open range, but he loved his family above all else. Don (“Cowboy Grandpa”) was greatly beloved by his family and will be sorely missed.
Eastern Arizona Courier, Safford, Arizona
Posted: Wednesday, May 23, 2007
The above obituary transcribed and graciously shared by Sandi, Find A Grave contributor #47159889.
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