Carl Franklin Preston Jr.

Carl Franklin Preston Jr., 76 of Monticello, Ark. passed away from this life on December 15, 2015. He was born on December 25, 1938 in Thayer, Missouri to Carl and Lucille Preston and was a member of Pauline Missionary Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother-in-law, Ralph Gross; one nephew, John Gross and one sister-in-law, Karen Jarrett Preston. Carl was known as "Coach" or "Coach P" to most. Upon graduation from Pine Bluff High School he went on to be a four sports letterman at Arkansas A & M College (U of A at Monticello) where he pursued a career in coaching. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Sandy Cox Preston; three sons, Kyle Preston (Mindy) of Texarkana, Texas, Darren Preston (Amber) of Carthage, Texas and Curt Preston (Andrea) of Monticello; two brothers, Louis Preston and wife Myra of Cherokee Village and Scott Preston of White Hall; one sister, Rosemary Gross of Pine Bluff and a sister-in-law, Sherry Cox Roark and husband Benny of Fordyce. Carl is also survived by 10 grandchildren: Logan, Lyle, Ladd, Jordan, Taylor, Carson, Kennedy, Cale, Cain, and Crews Preston. A private family burial will take place at Oakland Cemetery in Monticello. A memorial service will be held at Pauline Missionary Baptist Church on Friday, December 18, 2015 at 1 p.m. with Brother Larry Clements officiating. Visitation will follow immediately after the service in the Family Life Center. Memorials may be made to the UAM Foundation Fund, c/o Carl Preston Scholarship, P.O. Box 3520, Monticello, Ark. 71656. Arrangements are being handled by Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home. Online guestbook at www.stephensondearman.com.