Preston, Winton Russell

  • Sunday, January 10, 2010
Winton Preston
Winton Preston

Winton Russell Preston, 81, businessman, churchman and advocate for education, died at his home in Ooltewah on Sunday, January 10, 2010.

A native of New England, Preston attended Southern Missionary College, today known as Southern Adventist University in Collegedale, Tn. While attending school, he got a job at College Press and worked his way up to become manager. A career in printing was the fulfillment of his boyhood dream, after receiving a small, lead-type printing press on his ninth birthday.

In 1955, he established Preston Printing Company in Cleveland, Tennessee, and erected a printing plant on North Lee Highway that he owned and operated until 1988 when he sold the business.

Under his leadership, the company forged a regional and national reputation for high-quality printing, particularly in four-color work. His business grew with the addition of other printing plants in Manchester, Georgia, and Knoxville, Tennessee, and introduced a magazine called Outdoor Living.

In 1960, Preston and his brother, Forrest L. Preston, created a company called Hospital Publications to produce patient booklets and public relations materials for the nation’s hospitals. That business continued until 1972.

Preston was a devout member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. He was a founder of Bowman Hills Seventh-day Adventist Church, and previously belonged to the Collegedale Seventh-day Adventist Church, where he served as chairman of deacons.

He was a benefactor of Faith for Today, based in Thousand Oaks, California, the very first television ministry established in the United States, and served on its advisory board for years.

A strong proponent of education, Preston was a founder of the Bowman Hills Seventh-day Adventist School in Cleveland, and was a leader in the development of Cohutta Springs Conference Center and Youth Camp in Crandall, Ga.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Benjamin and Ethel Preston; a sister, Shirley Horne; and a daughter, Wynene L. Preston.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Lourene Sykes Preston; a sister, Beverly Fletcher and her husband, Dr. Weldon Fletcher of Winchester, Oregon; a brother, Forrest L. Preston, and his wife, Kathleen, of Cleveland, Tn.; a grandson, Brook Preston, and his wife, Jessica, of Chattanooga; several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 12, in the funeral home chapel, with Pastor Dwight Herod of Bowman Hills Seventh-day Adventist Church officiating.

A private graveside service for the family will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 13, at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Cleveland.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions may be made to Bowman Hills Seventh-day Adventist School, 300 Westview Drive, NW, Cleveland, Tn. 37312.

Visit www.Heritagefh.com to share words of comfort to the family and view the memorial tribute.

The family will receive friends from 4-6 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 12, at Heritage Funeral Home &
Cremation Services, 7454 East Brainerd Road.

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