David Preston, 61, of Springfield went to be with the Lord July 7, 2014, following a hard fought battle with cancer. David was born March 19, 1953, in Kansas City, MO to Smith Pelts and Jane (Robinson) Preston. The family moved to their farm near Greenfield, MO in 1962, where David was baptized and a member of Kings Point Baptist Church. He was a graduate of Greenfield High School, and Missouri State University. During his college career, David was a walk on true freshman, where he was second in the nation in pass completions, lettering in football and track all four years. David graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Physical Education and a lifetime teaching certificate. During this period, he also obtained a pilot's license and was invited to try out for four professional football teams. He declined, moving to Columbia, MO where he received a Master's Degree in Education Administration from Missouri University. David began a career in industrial maintenance in Houston, TX, before returning to the farm to raise beef cattle in 1982. David married Julie Tillman in 1989, beginning a great love story, recently celebrating their 25th anniversary. He was a great husband and father, coaching football for both sons, Dane and Joseph, and served many community organizations in a host of volunteer and leadership capacities including "Santa" for 27 Christmas seasons. He returned to industrial maintenance in 2001, ending his career with ConAgra Frozen Foods in Marshall, MO. His efforts helped the plant win ConAgra Plant of the Year 2013, and achieve a 99% production average for the first quarter of 2014. David will be sorely missed, and is survived by his wife, Julie; sons, Dane and Joseph; grandson, Aiden; his parents, Smith and Jane Preston; brothers, Dan and Darrell; sister, Jean Chambers; and a large extended family. He also leaves behind many, many friends who will miss his incredible wisdom, wit, and great sense of humor which even cancer could not take away. Visitation will be Saturday, July 12, 2014 from 1:30-3:00 p.m. with the funeral service immediately following at Kings Point Baptist Church, 594 W. Dade 182, Lockwood, MO 65682, under the care of Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to St. Jude's Children's Hospital, P.O. Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38148-0142.
