Benny Preston

Benny Burt Preston was born on September 30, 1944 in Hays, Kansas to Samuel Anderson Preston and Ruby Inez (Martin). His family was there surrounding him with love as he peacefully passed into Heaven on March 12, 2023.

He grew up in the San Joaquin Valley. He graduated from Porterville Union High School in 1962. He completed his AA in Accounting from Fullerton Junior College in 1976.

He served his country in the US Army as a Sergeant in Fort Sill, OK from 1965-1967.

In the summer of 1965, he met Marie Webb in Fresno, CA while she was on vacation. They were married on March 31 1967.  They moved from Oklahoma to Anaheim, CA. They welcomed their oldest daughter, Krystal, in January 1968 and their youngest daughter, Karyn, in February 1970.  They lived in Anaheim until 1986 when they moved to Brea, CA. In 2016 they moved to their current home in Fullerton, CA.

Benny worked for Thrifty Drug from 1967 until 1987 managing Fleet Operations. In 1987 he transferred to Big 5 and worked there until his retirement in 2005. After being retired for several years, he went back to work for AutoZone as a driver for their Commercial Parts Department and again retired in 2019.

In 2002 he became a professional Santa.  He worked as a mall Santa and did many private events. He loved being Santa and being able to bring joy to so many, both young and old.

He loved his grandchildren and was so proud of each them: Holleigh, Josiah and Jacob. Poppy never missed a school performance, sporting event or church performance. 

He used his gifts to serve in the churches that they attended over the years: Buena Park 1^st Church of the Nazarene, Anaheim 1^st Church of the Nazarene and Faith Community in Yorba Linda.

He believed that Christ died for us and that we would have eternally life with the Father. He was received by his Heavenly Father and is now free from the earthly body with is struggles and ailments and is rejoicing with those who preceded him.

He is survived by his wife, Marie Preston. His daughters, Krystal (Scott) Riemer and Karyn (Glenn) Fuller.

His grandchildren Holleigh (Peter) Topel, Josiah Fuller and Jacob Fuller.

His brothers, Douglas Preston and Michael Newman (Kay) and his sisters, Terry Holte and Libby Newman.