ROBERT LEE PRESTON was born on January 3, 1962, at Willis Knighton Hospital in Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana to Robert Preston and Mittie Lee Durham Preston. The Preston family's last residence was on Madison Avenue in Shreveport. Robert was the middle child of five siblings and was raised in a Christian household.

A proud 1980 graduate of Booker T. Washington High School in Shreveport, Robert attended West Shreveport Elementary and J.S. Clark Junior High School, where he began his athletic career and maintained honor roll status as student athlete. He played baseball and football from his junior high years and post-high school career. After graduating from high school, Robert played catcher, pitcher and short stop for the Shreveport Captains, a professional minor league baseball team based in Shreveport.

Robert was accepted to Grambling State University where he studied biology. He later decided to move to the big city of Houston, Texas, to pursue a long-time career in biomedical research and veterinary medicine. His first job was at St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital/Texas Heart Institute as a veterinary technician. There, he met the love of his life, Jacqueline "Jackie" Delores Fogle, who started out as a colleague and friend. Robert and Jackie were married on June 9, 1990, at South Park Baptist Church in Houston, where Robert was baptized.

In 1993, the couple welcomed their first child into the world—Chase Allen Preston. Four years later after the birth of their first born, they welcomed another baby boy—Clark Ellis Preston. Desiring to raise their sons in a nurturing and supportive Christian environment, they joined Missouri City Baptist Church, where Robert was ordained as a deacon in 1994 and served as a charter member under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Dennis W. Young. He and his family later moved to Brentwood Baptist Church where he faithfully served as a deacon and president of the Brotherhood ministry under the pastorate of Rev. Dr. Joe Samuel Ratliff. In 2005, the family made Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church their new church home, where the Rev. Dr. Marcus D. Cosby is the senior pastor. Robert served humbly with his Wheeler family for 20 years as a member of the Diaconate, Family Group 51 leader, Courtesy Corps and Men's Bible Study class.

An athlete at heart, Robert never lost his love of sports. He was an avid jogger and golfer, often reminding his fellow athletes about his hole-in-one he achieved at Bear Creek golf course. He took his family on numerous sporting excursions, including NBA Summer League games and University of Houston football and basketball games. Robert was a devout Arizona Cardinals, Golden State Warriors, Oakland (Las Vegas) Raiders and Grambling State Tigers fan. Robert cherished his family vacations across the country, creating lasting memories in every corner they explored together.

Robert and Jackie raised their two sons in Fort Bend County, Texas, where they were embraced by a close-knit community of supportive neighbors, lifelong friends and caring teachers. After spending a decade in Stafford, Texas, they made their home in Sugar Land, where their family continued to grow and thrive in a place filled with warmth, memories and lasting friendships.

Robert cherished his family and often spoke about them with family, friends and anyone who would listen. A devoted and loving husband, doting father, dedicated colleague and God's faithful servant, Robert left an indelible mark wherever he was. An active member of his community, he served as a Fort Bend County Democratic Party precinct chair in 2008 and supported his sons as a parent band volunteer at Lamar Consolidated ISD. He was a member of the NAACP.

Before departing this life, Robert closed out his career as a leasing manager for Greystar, an international real estate and property management company. He was known among the residents he served for his kindness, reliability and genuine care, qualities that left an impression on those around him.

Predeceasing Robert are his loving parents, Robert and Mittie, along with his sister, Veronica Patrice Preston, and his brothers Dwight Earl Preston and Anthony Quinn Preston. He leaves to cherish his sweet memories his dear wife of 35 years Jacqueline Fogle Preston; son, Chase Allen Preston; son, Clark Ellis Preston; brother, Patrick Bouvier Preston; his aunts, Mary Durham and Linda Durham; and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, friends, neighbors, church members and colleagues.