Obituary of Clifford Ray Preston

Clifford “Ray” Preston age 63 of Scappoose Oregon passed away peacefully on October 29, 2017.  He had been at Meadow Park Care Facility in St. Helens for almost 12 yrs. due to an injury. 

He was born in Mountain Grove Missouri on February 19, 1954.  His parents were Clifford and Eva Preston of St. Helens Or.  Ray grew up in Columbia County primarily living and attending school in St. Helens.   Ray was the youngest son / brother out of 8 in the family. 

In 1968 he met Laurie Sorlie (Scappoose) at the St. Helens Skating Rink, it became an every Friday night event for both of them.   On Friday October the 13th 1972 they were married at the Warren Eagles Lodge.   A trip to Long Beach Washington and a stormy weekend they spent the weekend at the Long Beach Movie theater, watching Vincent Price movies.  On Friday October 13th 2017 they celebrated their 45th wedding Anniversary and watched scarier Halloween movies.

Ray worked many jobs from bussing tables and being a dishwasher, working at Don Mier’s dairy in Scappoose milking cows, learning a new trade in Florida installing carpet/tile, then there was the Red Man Pest Control…get rid of those bugs in Florida and then back to Oregon where he was finally able to do what he loved most, woodworking and construction.  He just the ability to do anything he needed to do to make a living.

He had many hobbies and interests; fishing, hunting, camping, archery indoor and outdoor, he liked to play a round of golf, not good at it but he had fun. He played a lot of Men’s Slow Pitch Softball in Florida He bowled for a few years, played pool leagues and enjoyed the pool games with his friends and drinking beer.   Loved watching Wrestling and UFC fights, movies and going to garage sales with Laurie.  Spin the bottle was always interesting, whatever direction the bottled stopped they would take a weekend road trip. 

  Music /singing though was his passion; he taught himself to play the guitar at age 15, Ray and his best friends started a band in 1969 called the Oregon Rounders, playing Country/Oldies he was lead singer and played the rhythm guitar.  Ray and his friend Larry Brady would watch HEE Haw every Friday night before leaving to go play a dance.    They would find out what the new song of the week was and learn it by the next week for the next dance.   They played all the local Granges, Lodges and Bars and for lots of private parties.    

While in Florida Ray continued music but in a different style.  He taught himself again to play the Base guitar and started to play with gospel groups and traveled with them from Church to Church singing and praising god.  He was baptized in 1975 and continued to honor god for giving him the talent he had been given.  His singing stopped on October 9, 2005, but will never be forgotten.

Although he was unable to do all the things above after his injury  ,Ray struggled with getting better, his will was broken for a long time, but there were good days too.   He still had a smile most of the time and a joke or two and an “Oh Well” shrug when you asked him a question or how he was doing.   Still loved to watch TV , movies, wrestling, bull riding and even a little baseball during the World Series.  

Ray is survived by his wife Laurie of Scappoose, Son Dustun, Daughter Shannon and Grandson Jacob Preston all from Scappoose. Granddaughter McKenzie Schull-Lewis (Josh) and Great grand babies Hailee and Ryker Lewis of Scappoose.  Sisters – Geneva Thomas of Merrill Or, Polly Brown of St. Helens Or, Wanda Heile (LeRoy) and Juanita Crouse (Randy) of Yuma Az.  Brothers – Elmer Preston (Lorrie) of St. Helens and Lyle Preston of Yuma Az.  and to many to list of nieces and nephews who loved him.  He was preceded in death by Clifford M. Preston (father), Eva Preston-Nolan (mother), Richard Nolan (step-dad), Gene Preston (brother), Kevin Preston (Nephew).

A graveside service for family and friends will be held at the Yankton Hillcrest Cemetery on November 17, 2017 at 1 p.m.  and a reception at the St. Helens Moose Lodge in Warren from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Love gifts can be made in memory to the St. Helens Moose Lodge where he was a member.