David L. Preston

David Preston, 85, of Clinton Township and a longtime resident of Sterling Heights, passed away on August 29, 2026, after a courageous seven-year battle with cancer. Surrounded by the love of a family that meant everything to him, Dave now rests with his Lord and Savior. Born July 30, 1941, in Warren, Dave lived a life centered on family, faith, and being there for the people he loved. He and his beloved wife, Claudia, shared 63 years of marriage and built a family that became his greatest source of joy and pride. Dave was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He was the kind of person who made every effort to show up for not only the important moments, but the everyday ones, too. Whether it was a school event, sporting event, birthday, holiday, family gathering, or another milestone worth celebrating, Dave wanted to be there. Even during the years he lived in Florida, distance did little to keep him from supporting the people he loved. He and Claudia (affectionately known to the grandkids as “Grandma Cookie,”) regularly made trips back to Michigan to be present for the moments that mattered. His love of sports extended well beyond his own family. For many years, Dave could be found on the sidelines of Stevenson High School football games, filming the action. He remained a longtime supporter of the program, attending games and cheering from the stands long after any of his grandchildren were students in the district. Dave also enjoyed telling stories, and he always seemed to have one ready. Almost any conversation could remind him of a time he got up to some hijinks or found himself in a memorable situation with family or friends. Among his favorite stories were those from his time living in Florida, where he worked at a pancake stand on the beach and became affectionately known as “Dave the Pancake Man.” It was a nickname, and a chapter of his life, that he remembered fondly. Through all of those stories and memories, one thing remained constant: Dave loved to laugh. He was rarely without a smile on his face, and even during the difficult years of his illness, he could still find a reason to laugh, joke, and enjoy the people around him. His ability to find joy, even during the toughest moments, was one of the many things those who loved him will remember most. To his nine great-grandchildren, however, he had another cherished name: “Grumpy.” Despite what the name might suggest, Dave loved it and wore it proudly. Those who knew Dave knew how deeply proud he was of his family. He was endlessly supportive of the people around him and never missed an opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of those he loved. If someone in the family had achieved something, reached a milestone, or simply had something worth being proud of, Dave wanted everyone to know. Facebook became an important part of the way Dave stayed connected to people throughout his life. He built a large community of friends and family there, keeping in touch with people from different places and different chapters of his life over many years. He loved seeing what everyone was doing, sharing memories, commenting on their lives, and making sure they knew he was still following along. And, of course, his Facebook friends could regularly count on Dave sharing the latest accomplishment of a child, grandchild, or great-grandchild. It was another way for him to stay close to the people he cared about and to proudly let the world know what his family was up to. Dave is survived by his wife of 63 years, Claudia; his daughters, Monica and Becky; his sister, Karen; six grandchildren, Anthony (Lauren), Annette (Bryan), David (Kristina), Sara, Emily (David), and Colin; and nine great-grandchildren, Aiden, Charleigh, Isabella, Brody, Beau, Toni, Colt, Frankie, and Logan. He was preceded in death by his brother, Dennis. Dave will be remembered for his stories, his smile and laughter, his loyalty, his unwavering support, and above all, the tremendous love and pride he had for his family and friends. His presence at the games, celebrations, family gatherings, and everyday moments of their lives will be deeply missed. He was loved by many, stayed connected to many more, and will be missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him. A memorial service will be held on Saturday - September 5, 2026 at 11:00am in the Veritas Bible Church - 28100 Ryan Road, Warren. Pastor Justin Whitcomb will officiate. Cremation arrangements in care of Jowett Funeral Home - 57737 Gratiot, New Haven,

David L. Preston

July 30, 1941 - August 29, 2026