Terry Lee Preston

About Terry

Passed from this life in Jan of 2025. His body was recovered at his home in Isanti, MN, on March 27, 2025. Born in Long Beach, CA, on March 28, 1963, he was the son of the late Frank Fay Preston and Diana Elaine Franklin. He was a cherished twin to his sister, Carrie, and part of a lively trio of siblings with their younger brother, Mark, who arrived 15 months later.

Terry spent his early years in the Los Angeles area before the family moved to Ogden, Utah, and later

to Fresno, CA, where two more brothers, Wade and Erik, were welcomed into the family. He graduated from McLane High School in Fresno in June 1981. Shortly afterward, his parents and family moved to Pierce City, MO. He followed. He lived for brief periods in Texas and Nevada, following the work he was engaged in, but always returning to Missouri. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg, MO, in August 1995. Terry never married or had children but had many nieces and nephews whom he loved and who loved him. Terry’s childhood was filled with many adventures, and he made everything he did an adventure. He and Mark once hiked to the top of Mount Whitney, the highest point in the contiguous U.S., with their scout troop from the Fresno 8th Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He loved the outdoors—camping, hiking, and shooting in the Sierra Nevada Mountains with his family, where

he and his dad and brother Mark shared many unforgettable moments. He had a love for knowledge, often reading encyclopedias and dictionaries for fun, which shaped his fascination with World War II. He was a masterful storyteller, known for captivating any audience with his wit, charm, and brilliant command of the English language. Terry’s unique view of the world as someone who was colorblind only added to his distinct personality, and he had a special way of making life fun and engaging. He could always make you laugh. He often helped others, working on projects or vehicles for friends and family, especially his beloved burgundy 1997 Silverado Chevy Pickup, which he meticulously maintained. He was a gifted shade tree mechanic, learning these skills from his dad, who opened a garage in Pierce City, MO, after moving there in 1982.

Terry’s first job was delivering newspapers in the early morning hours by bike in Fresno when he was

14 or 15 years old. He would have to wrap them, band them, and pack them in his bike baskets. Occasionally, Mark and Carrie would help, and oh, what fun they had. He drove a neighborhood ice

cream truck when he was a little older, once being robbed at gunpoint. His main career was construction, which he learned from his brother-in-law, Clark, and his good friend, Tom. He began working as a journeyman carpenter for the Carpenters Union in 1996 in Las Vegas. Terry has lived in Minnesota for the past 10 years and was affiliated with MN State Interior Systems Local 68 in St. Paul, Minnesota. Excelling in sheetrock and drywall finishing. Terry had experience in many phases of the construction process. He also drove a truck for a few short years nationwide for Wiltrans and Prime, both based in Springfield, MO, and FBI Trucking near Warrensburg, MO, but said he was tired of the over-the-road life, so he returned to construction. He was passionate about music, enjoying all genres, and his 7.2.2 surround sound system with 15” subwoofers was legendary, he felt. Although, it earned a few visits from the local police asking him to turn it down.

Terry is survived by his twin sister, Carrie Petersen and her husband Clark of Pierce City, MO; brothers, Mark Preston and his wife Jodi of Pierce City, MO; and Erik Preston and his wife Misty of Alma, AR; and sister-in-law Shelley Preston of West Jordan, UT. His nieces and nephews, BreeAnn Petersen Woods, Saren Petersen Combs, Alyssa, Joseph, Hannah, and Jens Petersen; Jennifer, Timothy, Marilyn, and Chandler Preston; Lindsey Preston Burton, Bailey Preston Lowe, Tyler, Ryan, Carley, Charlotte, Kyle, and Westley Preston; Cole and Sierra Preston; and friends and loved ones who will forever miss his stories and humor.

Terry was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Diana Preston, and his brother, Frank Wade Preston.

Terry’s final resting place is in Pierce City, next to his brother, Wade, at the Williams/Andelin Cemetery. A Celebration of Life was held on May 24, 2025, at the home of his late parents in Pierce City, MO.

Arrangements were under the direction of Buchanan Funeral Home, Monett, MO, which helped in the preparation of his late brother and parents. Terry’s cremation and services were provided by Crescent Tide Cremation Services of St. Paul, MN. We wish to thank them for their invaluable assistance and kindness with which they offered care and help.

In lieu of flowers or donations, please consider contributing to the American Foundation for Suicide

Prevention at afsp.org.

memorial service

Funeral/Cremation Provider: Crescent Tide Cremation Services