Obituary: Preston, Leonard H.
Leonard is survived by his sons Leonard H. Preston, Jr. and William A. Preston and his daughters-in-law, Heidi and Kelly, and grand- children, Elizabeth, Andrew and Nicholas.
Leonard was 93.
Born in St Louis MO, Leonard is preceded in passing by his wives Blanch Welsh and Marion Cardwell.
Leonard had a very successful career in the U.S. Navy that spanned 30 years, including WWII, Korea and Viet Nam.
In 1942 he entered the Navy and trained in San Diego, CA and Memphis, TN, attending Ordnance School, and subsequently Gunnery School in Pensacola FL with follow on assignment to VP 133 ASW Squadron.
Leonard’s duty stations included many shore stations, fighter squadrons, ASW squadrons and aircraft carriers, including duties on the USS Roosevelt and USS Wasp.
When serving in the Philippines he was promoted to LCDR while serving as Weapons Officer.
He returned to Jacksonville, FL to the Advance Aviation Ordnance School as the OIC, and retired there after serving over 30 years on active duty.
After his USN career, Leonard served a rewarding ten years as an Occupational Specialist at the Wolfson Senior High School in Jacksonville FL.
Leonard loved the opportunity for his U.S. Navy career.
In the aircraft carrier aviation ordnance community he was a proud member of the “Red Shirt” team and a respected Weapons boss.
Leonard will be laid to rest next to his wife Marion, in the Jacksonville Memory Gardens in Orange Park, FL on Friday, January 11th at 11am.
Local arrangements by BALL & DODD FUNERAL HOME, SPOKANE, WA.
Arrangements by HARDAGE-GIDDENS RIVERMEAD FUNERAL HOME, 127 Blanding Blvd, Orange Park, FL www.hardage-giddensrivermead.com