Pastor John Preston

Pastor John Preston, 88, formerly of Farmington, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 24, 2024. Celebration of Life Services will be 2:00 PM Saturday, August 2, 2024, at Emmanuel Baptist Church, 211 W. 20th St. Farmington, New Mexico. John was born June 2, 1935 in Nashville, Tennessee to William and Nancy Preston, and graduated from Peabody High School there. He attended Baylor University where he played football his freshman year. He soon became active in the BSU at Baylor, where he met the love of his life, Sara Parker. They married in 1957, and enjoyed 66 years of marriage, and raised three sons, Parker, David and Daniel. It was during his time at Baylor, that John felt the call to full-time ministry. He earned his Master’s in Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He served at MacElwain Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, First Baptist Church in El Paso, Texas and Emmanuel Baptist Church in Farmington, New Mexico. He retired in 2000, but then felt the call to return to preaching and served another 14 years at Mountain Vista Baptist Church in Farmington. John loved to sing; having been known for his “sermons in song’. He and Sara served on many mission trips throughout their life together. John enjoyed playing golf in his spare time. Most importantly, he was a devoted husband and father. He adored his wife Sara and longed to be with her during the times they were separated due to health issues. John impacted many lives over the years and he will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Miriam Collins; and a brother, William Hall Preston, Jr. Survivors include his wife, Sara Preston; three sons, John Parker Preston and wife Beth of Glendale, AZ, David Preston and wife Wendy of Amarillo, and Daniel Preston and wife Alyssa of Ouray, CO; and seven grandchildren, Karlee Preston, Dillon Preston, Max Preston, Paige Preston, Payton Preston, John Paul Preston, Caleb Preston and wife Brittany, and Judah Preston. The family suggests memorial donations may be made to the International Mission Board at www.imb.org.