He was born on December 25, 1938 in Thayer, Missouri to Carl and Lucille Preston and was a member of Pauline Missionary Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother-in-law, Ralph Gross; one nephew, John Gross and one sister-in-law, Karen Jarrett Preston. Carl was known as "Coach" or "Coach P" to most. Upon graduation from Pine Bluff High School he went on to be a four sports letterman at Arkansas A & M College (U of A @ Monticello) where he pursued a career in coaching.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Sandy Cox Preston; three sons, Kyle Preston (Mindy) of Texarkana, Texas, Darren Preston (Amber) of Carthage, Texas and Curt Preston (Andrea) of Monticello; two brothers, Louis Preston and wife Myra of Cherokee Village and Scott Preston of White Hall; one sister, Rosemary Gross of Pine Bluff and a sister-in-law, Sherry Cox Roark and husband Benny of Fordyce. Carl is also survived by 10 grandchildren: Logan, Lyle, Ladd, Jordan, Taylor, Carson, Kennedy, Cale, Cain, and Crews Preston.
A private family burial will take place at Oakland Cemetery in Monticello. A memorial service will be held at Pauline Missionary Baptist Church on Friday, December 18, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. with Brother Larry Clements officiating. Visitation will follow immediately after the service in the Family Life Center.
Memorials may be made to the UAM Foundation Fund, c/o Carl Preston Scholarship, P O Box 3520, Monticello, AR 71656. Arrangements are being handled by Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home. Online guestbook at www.stephensondearman.com.
Condolences(51)
Classie Jones Green
Pine Bluff, AR Sunday, January 10, 2016 Mrs Preston and Family.Sorry to hear about Coach Preston May God Bless and Comfort You All.Venson Hodge
dallas, TX Tuesday, December 22, 2015 Its hard to believe my first coach is gone. I'm praying for each of you that God give you strength. Class of 86 Linden-Kildare...linda funderburg
monticello, AR Sunday, December 20, 2015 sandy and family may God hold you'll close during this sad time... thinking of you'llJoe B. Lovelace
Dripping Springs, TX Saturday, December 19, 2015 Sandy, I'm so sorry for your loss. I know Carl's illness must not have been easy on you. Carl and you were Donna and my close friends in Linden and I remember fondly our gatherings after home football games. Take heart that Carl was a positive influence in the growth of many of his players. Someone once said, “A teacher affects eternity; one can never tell where the influence stops.”Gene Franklin
, AR Friday, December 18, 2015 Sandy, I am so sorry for your loss. Carl was a great leader, team-mate, and friend. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.Marlon SULLIVAN
Linden, TX Friday, December 18, 2015 My thoughts and prayers are with coaches family. Playing football at LK meant a lot to me and helped shape my life. Coach Preston was a big part of that!Jay Dean
Kilgore, TX Friday, December 18, 2015 We are sorry for your loss. Each of you are in our prayers.Rusty & LeAnn Williams
Carthage, TX Friday, December 18, 2015 Our love and prayers are with you.Darren O'Quinn
Little Rock, AR Friday, December 18, 2015 Kyle, I just heard the news through Belinda Brown. I am so sorry for your Dad's passing. Please know that my prayers are with you and your family. Your Dad was one fine man! God Bless, Darren.John & Paige (Hill) Stell
Monticello, AR Friday, December 18, 2015 You are all in our thoughts & prayers during the days ahead. Coach Preston will be missed by many. Sweet man.Love, John, Paige, Brad, Jake, Jared, Jayson, Colt, & Brayden
Ann Bevelhymer Cain
Wewoka, OK Thursday, December 17, 2015 So sorry for your loss. With love & prayers for all the family.Marcy Madden Sellers
Marshall, TX Thursday, December 17, 2015 I am saddened to hear of your loss. I haven't seen you in many years but this family is a treasured memory from my childhood in Linden. My parents, Mary Ann and Jerry Madden, and I are thinking of all of you and keeping you in our prayers.Rachael Burks
Abilene, TX Thursday, December 17, 2015 Uncle Sonny I loved you and will miss you. Aunt Sandy I miss you and wish I could be there for y'all. I'm sending my love and prayers your way.Burl Sharon Randall and Ryan Fant
Texarkana, TX Thursday, December 17, 2015 Special prayers and our deepest sympathy to the Preston family.Gwen Reed
Pine Bluff, AR Thursday, December 17, 2015 Rosemary, Louis, Scott my heart and prayers are with you. I know the Preston family is close. God is always with you, never forget or give up. You all come from a strong heritage .I had known you Mother and Dad for many years. I know they were wonderful Christain people and very proud of you. God bless you all. Love to you all, Gwen ReedSusie Ward
Lonoke, AR Thursday, December 17, 2015 Sandy and family - sorry to hear of your loss. My prayers are with you at this time. May God's loving arms hold you close. Carl was a special person. Anyone who met him loved him. Love you, SusieJack T. Sloan Class of 61
Dickson City, PA Thursday, December 17, 2015 Sandy my dear friend u are in my prayers and i am so sorry for ur lose of Coach (Carl) take care and many hugs to my friend,Josh & Angie Frost
Savannah, GA Thursday, December 17, 2015 Mrs. Sandy & family: Angie and I were sadden by the that Coach had passed. What a remarkable man he was, and he had such an impact on so many. Please know you all are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.Kathy (George) Cason
Linden, TX Thursday, December 17, 2015 Sorry for your Mrs. Preston, thinking of our family.Sandy (Braeuninger)Cason
Linden, TX Thursday, December 17, 2015 Ur family is in our prayersLarry/Janie Fuller
MONTICELLO, AR Thursday, December 17, 2015 Sandy & Family,So sorry about Carl's passing. Carl or "Pressley" was a great man. I considered him to be a friend. He always laughed & smiled as he recalled stories about UAM classes & professors. He was always positive & optimistic about his life. He dearly loved his Family. He was so proud of his boys & grands. I will miss him. Sandy, you performed miraculous care of Carl. May God give you rest & comfort.
Dean and Jenifer Francis
Minden, LA Thursday, December 17, 2015 So sorry to hear this news. He was a great man and a wonderful man to be around on the ball field. Thinking about y'all and praying for the family during this difficult time.Kristi Cobb
Texarkana, TX Thursday, December 17, 2015 Mindy,I am so sorry for your loss. You and your loved ones are in my prayers.
David Denman
Dyersburg, TN Thursday, December 17, 2015 I was shocked, this a.m., to see Carl`s obit in the L.R. paper. I was just thinking of him a couple of days ago, and about fellow A&M athletes, of which Carl was a standout. I will lift Sandy, and all the family, up in my prayers and ask God to surround you all with his love and grace during this difficult time.vernon tarver
fayetteville, AR Thursday, December 17, 2015 Carl and I were teammates and friends in High School.He was a wonderful person and great friend. Louis was in my class and Carl was a year older.
Vernon Lowe
San Diego, CA Thursday, December 17, 2015 I am so sorry for your loss. Mr. Carl was a wonderful man.Scott Lee
Carthage, TX Thursday, December 17, 2015 It was an honor to play for Coach Preston. He had a positive influence on countless players. My thoughts and prayer are with all.Andy Holmes
College Station, TX Thursday, December 17, 2015 Coach Preston was a Great Man & Mentor and will never be forgotten. He meant so much to me personally with my development into adulthood. And we need more Men like Coach today to pass the torch to the next generation.Gloria Dickinson
Wichita Falls, TX Thursday, December 17, 2015 Sandy, I am so very sorry for you and your family. I am out of town but I am thinking about all of you. Carl was a good friend and I cherish all of our memories. May God help you through this sad time.Linda Hayes Lumpkins
Linden, TX Wednesday, December 16, 2015 Sandy so sorry for your loss prayers for alllinda rowe funderburg
monticello, AR Wednesday, December 16, 2015 sandy and sons i am so sorry to hear about carl's death.. thnking of you'll.may God hold you'll close during this sad timeFrieda Sims
Texarkana, TX Wednesday, December 16, 2015 Thinking of all of you. Love an prayers. Jack an Frieda SimsMarijo Miles
Springfield, MO Wednesday, December 16, 2015 So very sorry to hear about Carl, you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. As always , MarijoButch and Judy Selig
Benton, AR Wednesday, December 16, 2015 Sandy and family,We want to extend our sincere sympathy to you at this difficult time. Carl was a fine man and a great coach who will be missed by many.
Sincerely,
Butch and Judy Selig
Pat McDermott Scavo
Hot Springs, AR Wednesday, December 16, 2015 Remembering our dear friend and classmate ........so many great times were shared at A & M .....memories abound. Prayers to all of Carl's family. (I cheered for him and team mates in all of his games ...in every sport for 3 years)Phil & Patsy Mc Scavo
mary lou cooper
monticello, AR Wednesday, December 16, 2015 SO VERY SORRY TO HEARD ABOUT C PRESTON, HE WAS A VERY GOOD MAN!! PRAYERS FOR THE FAMILY. RIPJoe Daw
The Woodlands, TX Wednesday, December 16, 2015 Loved you Coach Preston. You had a great impact on my life and many others. You will be missed, but not forgotten. Prayers go out to the family.John Kinley
Rison, AR Wednesday, December 16, 2015 So sorry for your loss , our prayers for the FamilyContessa Wiggam McManus
Koshkonong, MO Wednesday, December 16, 2015 Praying for all of you!Paula Findley
White Hall, AR Wednesday, December 16, 2015 Sandy,You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. May God wrap His loving arms around you and give you peace and comfort.
Paula
Regina Lanehart
Wilmar, AR Wednesday, December 16, 2015 So sorry for your loss. Prayers to you and your family.John E Harmon
Houston, TX Wednesday, December 16, 2015 Coach P, thank you for all you did. My life is better because of you coach.John Harmon
Milton and Romie Caver
Linden, TX Wednesday, December 16, 2015 Just wanted you to know that our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. We considered all of you friends.May God bless each of you.
JAMI OWENS
LINDEN, TX Wednesday, December 16, 2015 Dear Kyle and Family,I just wanted you all to know that I am so sorry for your loss. I am thinking and praying for you all.
Love and prayers, Jami Owens
Ed & Starr Thompson
Texarkana, TX Wednesday, December 16, 2015 Our sincerest sympathy.. We will be praying for all of you.Kathy Brown
Carthge, TX Wednesday, December 16, 2015 You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.Chris Sims
Monticello, AR Wednesday, December 16, 2015 The "Coffee Shop" has lost another good one. He will be missed.Janice Gladden Wiggam
Hot Springs Village, AR Wednesday, December 16, 2015 Sandy & family,I am so sorry to read about Carl. He was a wonderful friend to all and he truly loved each of you. May God give you comfort and strength in your sorrow. Prayers for you all.
With love & sympathy,
Janice Wiggam
Pat Scifres Montgomery
Monticello, AR Wednesday, December 16, 2015 So sorry to hear about Coach Preston. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.bob srygley
fayetteville, AR Wednesday, December 16, 2015 I'm so sorry coach was a good guyMartha Barbee
Monticello, AR Wednesday, December 16, 2015 So sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers.