Thomas Edward Preston

Thomas Edward Preston, 90, of Waco, TX, passed away on Saturday, March 14 2026, in Houston, surrounded by his loving family. 

Tom was born in Troy Township, PA, and grew up in Crittenden, VA with his parents Theodore and Helen and 13 brothers and sisters. From an early age, Tom had an aptitude for machinery and repair. He served 20 years in the US Air Force, through two wars as an aircraft mechanic and a radar and airfield systems specialist. Tom was posted all over the world in his military career. He had a gift for putting down roots wherever he landed. He made many lifelong friendships in the Air Force, and in the VA, where he continued a career of government service as a biomedical technician.

Tom was always generous with his time, and showed his love for his neighbors, friends and family through his actions. He would repair cars, install anything, help people move, or bring them home. Tom loved freshwater fishing from a dock, a bank, or a small boat, and took many of his children and grandchildren out on their very first trip to the water. He loved games and would sit down for dominoes and cards, pitch horseshoes or washers, even play Monopoly, long into the night. Everyone in Tom’s large and ever-expanding circle of loved ones knew he truly cared about them and would help them in any way he could.

Tom is survived by his beloved wife of 39 years, Beverly; his siblings Ted, Polly, Bill, Nancy, Judy, and Denny; his daughter Luanne and her sons Sam and Nathan; his son Tom and wife Lisa and their children Matt and Sara; his daughter Ronda Ruland and husband Dave and their children Jerame Ruland and Jennifer Lee; his daughter Sharla Ruland; his daughter Sherri Rambeau and husband John and their children Tyler, Garrett, Hilary, Cory, Christian and Rachel; and his son Joe, and wife Liz and his children John Henry and Max; and great-grandchildren Athena Pippin, Astrea Ruland, Brooks Becker and Bowen Becker.

Tom devoted himself to his beloved wife and his family. We will remember him for his laughter, his earnest advice, his boundless energy and his steady, helpful presence in our lives.

A chapel service and celebration of Tom’s life will be held Friday, May 22 at 10 am at the Grace Gardens funeral home in Waco.