OBIT – James Preston

MISSION – James Harvey Preston, 85, of Mission, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2017, at Pax Villa Hospice in McAllen.

Mr. Preston was born on June 28, 1931, to Joseph Wesley and Pearl Q. (Keeney) Preston and was raised on the family farm southwest of Swea City, Iowa. He graduated from Swea City High School in 1949 and was a U. S Army veteran serving during the Korean War.

He began farming outside of Swea City when he returned from the war and married Marilyn Jane Mino on June 25, 1955, in Swea City. He served as a Kossuth County Cattlemen director for many years. They moved to Mission in 1999 where they volunteered at church and Walk to Emmaus.

Survivors include his wife of 61 years; children, Twila DeRocher, Merrill, Iowa; Dallas Preston of Spickard, Mo., Leo Preston of McMinnville, Ore. and Debbie Nece of Wichita, Kan.; and 10 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Pauline Jensen, Eloise Linde, Wilma Nelson, Miriam Anderson, Nina Boever and Thomas Preston.

A memorial service was held on Feb. 4 at First United Methodist Church in Mission with Pastor Bill Duke officiating. A memorial service and burial will be held at a later date in Swea City, Iowa.

Memorial donations may be sent to the Valley Emmaus Community, 40 Ocelot Trail Laguna Vista, TX 78578.