Obituary of chaRLES PRESTON

Charles H. Preston, "Chuck", retired Air Force Lt. Colonel, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on October 22 at the age of 93, after a long and full life. Chuck was born in Lead, South Dakota, to Amy Ladd Preston and George Preston on April 16, 1928. He was the youngest of four children. Chuck was eager to serve in WWII, but he was too young. At the age of seventeen, he attempted to join the Merchant Marines, but his mother refused to sign the paperwork. He later thanked her for that decision. At eighteen, Chuck enlisted in the Army Air Forces. He worked as an aircraft mechanic for a short time before the war ended. Following WWII, Chuck entered the newly formed Air Force. He was selected for the Air Force pilot training school, graduated in Class 48B (Randolph AFB), and moved on to multi-engine training at Barksdale AFB, Louisiana. During dance at the Barksdale USO, he met a girl named Jo Ann Mahoney, who was volunteering with the USO. A few weeks later, mutual friends set them up on a blind date. They were married on April 30, 1949. Chuck and Jo Ann moved around often during his long Air Force Career. Following pilot school, the Air Force sent Chuck to Sculthorpe AFB in England flying the B-45 Tornado with "advanced weapons," providing European defense. After returning to the states, Chuck served as an Air Force instructor pilot in the US, Vietnam, Laos, and Okinawa, Japan. He retired from Eglin AFB after almost twenty five years of service, with the highest pilot ranking of Command Pilot and over 8000 hours. Chuck stayed active after his retirement. He ran an electronics repair shop for several years. He loved boating, sailing, and water skiing with his family. He was an honorary member of the Fort Walton Beach Yacht Club and volunteered on the committee boat for the local races for several years. He was a member of the local home organ club, and he enjoyed playing songs on the organ for friends and family. Chuck loved riding bicycles, and he even participated in a Bike Across Florida event with his then young niece. He was often seen riding his bicycle in the early hours of the day. One neighbor called him "The Mongoose Man," and she submitted an article to the local paper in his honor. Every year on his birthday, until he turned ninety, Chuck rode his bike the same number of miles as his age. Chuck was preceded in death by Jo Ann, his beloved wife of almost sixty years, on May 8, 2008. He was also preceded in death by his beloved oldest son, Charles S. Preston, and his siblings Robert, Russell, and Esther. Chuck is survived by three of his children, Kathy Carpenter (Jerry Delaney), Ladd Preston (Tracy), and Scott Preston (Lynda). He is also survived by seven grandchildren; five great grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews, and his girlfriend Shirley Gingrich. When looking at his large family, he liked to make the joke, "This is all my fault." A Celebration of Life will be scheduled in the future. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude's Children Research Hospital, a charity he contributed to for many years. https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html Arrangements and services entrusted to FAMILY-FUNERAL & CREMATION of Mary Esther, FL (850)226-4240.