Ray Edmund Preston, Jr.

Ray Edmund Preston, Jr., age 53, passed away Monday July 26, 2004 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center. He was born October 11, 1950 in Chicago, Illinois to Ray Edmund, Sr. and Doris Jeanne (Schmid) Preston.

Ray received his education through McMinnville, Oregon. He then started his career in the US Navy in 1968, serving in specialized warfare in Vietnam and aboard the USS Lincoln during Desert Storm and Desert Shield. He married Barbara Ann Buchman in the St. James Church on September 30, 1973. He retired from the Navy in 1995, putting in 27 years of service for his country. His retirement brought him and his family to the Flathead Valley. He was active in helping with The Veterans Stand-down. Ray also enjoyed fishing and making others laugh.

Ray is survived by his wife Barbara Preston of Kalispell, Montana; son, Ray Edmund Preston, III serving aboard the USS Boxer in San Diego, California; a son, Eric Preston and a daughter Angelique "Angel" Preston both of Kalispell, Montana; one sister; two brothers; three half brothers and several nieces and nephews.

Visitation for Ray will be held Saturday July 31, 2004 from 9-12:45 p.m. at Johnson Mortuary and Crematory.