John Ray Preston

John Ray Preston, age 77, passed away on August 18th after an extended and courageous battle with Parkinson's disease. Mr. Preston was born on April 14, 1937 in Macon and was the son of the late Elizabeth Walker Preston and the late John Gray Preston. A graduate of Lanier High School and Georgia Tech, he was a member of Kappa Alpha Order and Alpha Pi Mu (The Engineer Honor Society). He later served in Germany for 2 years as Captain in The United States Army Corps of Engineers. A dedicated geotechnical engineer, he was the founder and President of Preston Testing & Engineering in Macon from 1974-2006. There will be a ceremony of remembrance and reception for family and friends at Hart's at the Cupola at 5:00PM Saturday, August 23, 2014. A private family ceremony will be held at Rose Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to Michael J. Fox Foundation www.michaeljfox.org; or Heartland Hospice, 3312 Northside Dr., S. D250, Macon, GA 31210-2591. Mr. Preston is survived by his wife and devoted caregiver, Deborah Jones-Preston of Macon and a large extended family. In New York, a son, John Gray Preston (Elisabeth Preston), a daughter Carrie Elizabeth Preston (Michael Emerson), a daughter Leslie Lowe Preston (Brown McIntosh Anderson) and their sons Preston McIntosh Anderson and Miller Lowe Anderson. In Macon, a son, Aidan John Dibble (Georgia Dibble). In Alpharetta, a daughter Laura Leigh Braglia (John Braglia) and their children Charles David Thomas Braglia, John William Braglia and Leighton Grace Braglia. In Warner Robbins, a stepson, Justin C. Jones (Ashley Jones). In Lake Oconee, a stepdaughter, Jessica A. Jones (Rick Silvey). In Macon, a brother James Miller Preston and in Barnesville, a brother David Albert Preston (Angela Preston). In California, a niece Katherine Angela Preston (Robert Lanier Anderson) and in Cumming a niece Sara Louise Preston (Tracey Baggett) and their daughter, Katherine. With a compassionate heart, Ray always went out of his way to help people in need. A lover of nature, he was also an avid astrologer and aviation enthusiast. In his spare time, he enjoyed fishing, gun collecting, traveling and photography. Register online at www.hartsmort.com. Hart's Mortuary at the Cupola has charge of arrangements.