1944-2206
Richard “Rick” Leroy Preston Sr., passed away on the morning of April 7, 2026, at his home in Virginia Beach, surrounded by most of his immediate family. Dad was born in Dodge City, KS on October 15, 1944, to Orville Otto and Alice Augusta (Barnes) Preston.
He attended Hutchinson High School, where he participated in the marching band and track. After graduating high school in 1962, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. His stations were Lakewood NAS (Lakewood NJ), Naval Station Rota (Rota, Spain), NAS JAX (Jacksonville FL), Turner NAS (Albany GA), NAS Key West, NAS Oceana (Virginia Beach VA), and finally Naval Station Norfolk, where he retired after 30 years. Mixed in with his stations, he was deployed many times on aircraft carriers, airborne reconnaissance during the cold war, and hurricane hunters when the Navy had that task.
After the Navy, to keep busy, he drove transportation for a private school. Finally retiring altogether some years ago to live a life of leisure.
He is preceded in death by his parents; siblings; Alta Mae, Orville “Bud”, Waneeta, Bill, Hazel, Joetta “Jo”, and Mary; and his stepson, Tracy Cantrell.
Rick is survived by his wife ,Betty Preston, his stepdaughter Michelle Fraguela, both of Virginia Beach VA; his children, Richard Preston (Jr) of Mobile AL, Denise Kerce of Albany GA, Chuck (Bethany) Preston of Athens AL, Marsha (Ben) Sablan of Virginia Beach VA; his brother, David (Shirley) Preston of Lake Jackson TX; 10 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and a slew of neices, nephews, and cousins. Included are his good friends Jerry and Christina Woodburn.
Inurnment will be at a later date in Memorial Park Cemetery in Hutchinson KS.
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