Ronald Eugene Preston

Ronald Eugene Preston was born on November 11, 1951 to Grace Helen and Prince Rowan Preston. He was the older of two children. Ronald accepted Christ at an early age and as an adult he proudly claimed two churches as his home. He was baptized and reared at Greater Bethesda Missionary Baptist Church where he later served as a Deacon and a member of the Drama Guild. He also sang in the Choir for many years before his illness limited his involvement. He was also spiritually baptized at Christ Universal Temple where he enjoyed the new thought teachings of “how to live a happy, healthy, prosperous life.” He was a member of the November Birth Month Club, the Married Couples Ministry and Men Expressing Christ. For many years the Preston family traveled to Christ Universal Temple’s annual Panorama of Truth Conferences where they stayed in the best hotels in Florida, Jamaica, Bahamas, Canada and Las Vegas, being taught and inspired by some of the greatest New Thought speakers from around the world. Ron attended St. George private school, Frank Bennett elementary school and graduated from John Marshall Harlan High School in 1969, where he ran track and participated in many school clubs and activities. Known for his “Ivy League” style, Ron took great pride in his attire and was known for his crisp, starched shirts. Upon graduating high school, Ron attended Kentucky State University in Frankfort, Kentucky, but received an Associate Degree in Liberal Arts from Kennedy King College. After discovering that he really enjoyed technical drawing, he went on to study at the Electronics Technical Institute in Chicago, where he received a diploma in Mechanical Drafting. It was here that Ron found his passion---mechanical drawing. He went on to study Engineering Graphics at Harper College in Palatine, IL. He later studied Trigonometry at Olive Harvey College. He continuously upgraded his drafting and technical skills by enrolling in classes to enhance his craft. He received certificates of completion in Computer Aided Drafting (CAD) at Illinois Technical College, in Chicago and in computer programming at the Computer Learning Center in Chicago. In the summer of 1971, Ron pledged his beloved Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated, Iota Chapter. He was No. 5 on his line. Little did he know that he would share this pledge experience with his future brother-in-law, Kevin Spencer Grant. On the first anniversary of his initiation into Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, he and his line brothers celebrated by having a party where the “Que Oil” flowed freely. It was at this party that he enjoyed his first dance and first kiss with Felicia Grant, his “tenderoni.” In 1976, at the fifth celebration of his Omega initiation, their friendship grew into something more and their courtship began as Felicia started graduate school. She would soon become the love of his life and soul mate. Ron first worked for the Illinois Tollway. Shortly afterward, he landed his first drafting job at Butler Specialty Company, a furniture manufacturer. Later, he obtained a position with Hills McCanna Company, a Valve Manufacturer. Before marrying Felicia, he took a new position as a Draftsperson with Midwest, a division of Dentsply International (which later to became Dentsply Professional), and was later promoted to Senior Draftsperson and Drafting Supervisor and Document Control Specialist. After Felicia’s completion of Graduate School, Ron and Felicia married June 16, 1979. Their union was blessed with three children, Duane, Renard and Ciera. Ron’s passion for his work did not compare to the passion he had for his family. He took a hands-on approach to his children’s exposure and involvement in swimming, baseball, basketball, bowling, football, track, dancing and tumbling. His support of his wife’s artistic career resulted in his becoming an avid art collector. Ron loved people and people loved him. He had an easy charm and infectious smile. Everywhere he went, he shared his love and passion for life. He was a member of the Chicago Assembly, Diaspora Rhythms Collectors’ Group and Kentucky State Alumni Association, Chicago Chapter. He regularly participated in pilates until shortly the onset of his illness in April, 2011. He enjoyed all the art events especially Black Creativity and Gallery D’Estee. He also loved to dance- especially with his wife at the Taste Entertainment Center, The Assembly Christmas Dance, New Year’s with the Diamonds, the “Black Mary” sets, many Delta functions, the Que boat rides and especially his 60th birthday party. Ron departed this life on August 17, 2012. Although God took his smile and magnificent presence away from all of us yet we are comforted because we know that Ron is smiling and singing and dancing at the Master’s table. Ron believed and truly followed the Commandment that you should love God with all your might and love your neighbor as you love yourself. Throughout his life, Ron always let his ”love light” shine. Ron leaves to cherish his memory, his loving soul mate, wife and best friend, Felicia; his beloved children, Duane, Renard (Kim) and Ciera; a beautiful granddaughter, Harper; parents, Prince and Grace Preston; sisters, Saundral Preston and Madeline Coles; uncle, Jerome Preston; nephews, Troy Mason, Charles Bragg and Kevin Spencer Grant II; brother-in-law, Kevin (Billie Jean); nieces, Pamela Newvill and Karen Grant; and in-laws, James and LaVera Grant; and a host of relatives and friends who truly knew and loved Ron.

Tributes

Ronald Eugene Preston

November 11, 1951 - August 17, 2012