Extracted from The Shreveport Times (Shreveport, LA)
Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Joseph E. Preston “Joe”

SHREVEPORT, LA -- Mr. Joseph E. Preston, 81, passed away on Sunday, December 27, 2009, after a lengthy illness. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until service time on Wednesday, December 30th, at Osborn Funeral Home. Service will begin at 11 a.m. on Wednesday in the Chapel of Osborn Funeral Home. Officiating will be Dr. Carl E. Rhoads of First United Methodist Church. Interment will follow at Forest Park Cemetery, St. Vincent Avenue.

He was born Joseph Edward Preston, on October 25, 1928, in New Orleans, LA. Joe was the only child of Ella and Henry Preston. He attended Holy Cross High School where he excelled in football and track. He attended LSU on a full track scholarship and graduated with a BS degree in Education. He later earned his Master's degree from UCLA.

While at LSU, he set several track records and was the 1951 SEC champion in the 100 yard dash and the 220 yard dash. He also qualified for the 1952 Olympics in Helsinki, Finland. He briefly coached football at Fair Park High School.

He was commissioned into the United States Air Force and proudly served his country in Greenland. His service continued with the 38th Medical Squadron at Barksdale until he retired with the rank of Major.

Joe married Medy Thomas in 1954. They spent most of their married life and raised their daughter in Shreveport. He was an avid LSU fan and loved fishing.

Mr. Preston was preceded in death by his father, Henry Edward Preston; his mother, Ella Brand Preston; and his father-in-law, Troy K. Thomas. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Medreth “Medy” Preston; daughter, Laura Preston Roe; three grandchildren, Stephen Roe and wife, Natalie, Michael Preston Roe and David Patrick Roe; and one great grandchild, Bennett Michael Roe.

Pallbearers will be Fred Roe, Jr., Stephen Roe, Michael Roe, David Roe, Randy Wilson and Bill Grammer.

The family requests that memorials to be made to First United Methodist Church, or the charity of donor's choice.

The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to Willis-Knighton Cancer Center, Odyssey Health Care, his nurses Sarah and Jann, Dr. Maxwell “Chip” McDonald, Melanie and Tammy, Dr. Michael Durci, Dr. Travis Henley and especially the nurses on the 2nd floor of the Cancer Center.

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