Thomas Preston

Thomas Preston, known as "Tom" to those who loved him, 72, of Wichita, Kansas passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 22, 2023.

Thomas was the son of the late Thomas H. Preston and Helen Timek Preston. He was born October 5, 1951, in Buffalo, New York, and raised in Wilmington, Delaware. His family moved to Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania where he attended E. L. Meyers High School. Thomas enlisted in the U. S. Marine Corps when he was 17 years old and came home to be a success in the car dealership business. 

After 14 years of managing big-city dealerships in the Atlanta and Philadelphia markets, Tom came to Mel Hambelton Ford in Wichita, KS to see what the operations were about, looking to move his family to small city living. After nearly a 3-hour conversation with Mel, they both knew that Tom's future was in Wichita.  In Tom's first month as their General Manager at Mel Hambelton Ford, sales were doubled. This upward sales trend was continued with Tom at the helm at Mel Hambelton Ford for the next decade.

Thomas was an incredibly kind and generous person--he shared his blessings and abundance with family, friends, and strangers alike. His love for humanity and for our Lord was evident in every interaction that he had with those around him.

Thomas is survived by his wife Phan Tran of Wichita, KS; sisters, Patricia Pissott, Wilkes-Barre, PA, Margaret Preston and her husband, Philip Kircher, Flourtown, PA, and Theresa Preston, Allentown, PA ; his sons Damian Preston and Alex Preston, both of Wichita, KS, and Erik Preston, Lenexa, KS; his grandchildren Josh and Ethan of Wichita, KS, and Kelly and Grant of Lenexa, KS; his nephews, Michael Kelly, Wilkes-Barre, PA, niece, Carla Weaver and her husband, Jason, Flourtown, PA. His stepdaughter, Trang Luu, Kansas City, MO, kept watch over him and seldom left his bedside while he was in hospice. Thomas was preceded in death by his brother Michael J. Preston, Allentown, PA in December 2021.

There will be no traditional gathering services. We will honor Tom's memory at the committal service at Leavenworth National Cemetery in Leavenworth, KS at 1:30 pm, Friday, December 8, 2023.

The family is forever grateful to the staff and teams at Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice for their thoughtful and tender care of Tom. Thank you also for taking great care of family and friends as we shared our goodbyes as Tom transitioned to eternal life.

"Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him." James 1:12