Eugene H. Preston Jr.

~ A Purpose-Driven Life ~

On July 5, 1934, in Manning, SC, something very special happened in the life of Eugene Hammett Preston, Sr., and Mabel Preston. To them, a son was born…a wonderful infant boy whom they named Eugene Hammett Preston, Jr. Little did they know that the unique sojourn of their son would be purpose-driven and touched in extraordinary ways by the hand of God!

Eugene’s early childhood years were spent enjoying life with his grandparents and friends; exploring and learning to love the natural wonders in his environment; exhibiting exceptional curiosity about nature, books, and people and actively participating in a variety of extracurricular activities. It was during these early years that his family members first observed his tendency to focus, explore, and inquire. This tendency would prove to be the core undergirding of his future achievement of excellence in both curricular and extracurricular endeavors.

Eugene was baptized at Shiloh Baptist Church in Winston Salem, North Carolina where he was a youth leader, and an active participant in Church School and special events.

Eugene was an avid reader and graduated Valedictorian from Columbia Heights Elementary School in Winston Salem, North Carolina, in 1948. He graduated from Atkins High School, where he was voted “Most likely to be Mayor of Winston Salem”. Eugene enrolled at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical (NC A&T) State University, where he joined the Mu Psi chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. He served as President of the Lampados Club crossing on February 17, 1955, Chapter Basileus in 1957, and Senior Class President that same year. In December 1957, he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering, graduating Magna cum Laude.

Eugene was an active member of the NC A&T State University National Alumni Association, for which he served a term as 1st Vice President and served a term as President. He was the recipient of the NC A&T State University Alumni Service Award.

Eugene became a member of the Philadelphia Alumni Chapter of Omega Psi Phi and served as its President in 1960. He moved to Washington, DC in 1964 where he worked in the Offices of the Omega Psi Phi Alumni Chapter Chaplain, Vice Basileus and Basileus, consecutively. He became a life member of Omega Psi Phi. He also held life membership with the National Urban League and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).

On July 13, 1963, he married the love of his life Elizabeth Hill. To this union, three sons were born.

Eugene enjoyed a long professional career as a ship designer and builder, being frequently recognized with various honors and awards for his stellar contributions to the United States Navy and Coast Guard.

On Friday, July 26, 2024, Eugene Hammett Preston, Jr. departed this life, transitioning from labor to reward. He was preceded in death by his parents, Mabel Preston and Eugene Hammett Preston, Sr.; his wife, Elizabeth Hill Preston; and his youngest son, Edwin Hanford Preston.

To cherish innumerable beautiful memories, he leaves two sons: Eugene Hammett Preston, III, and Eric Henry Preston (Delica); four grandchildren: Daizsa Elizabeth Preston Jackson (Christopher), Dy’on Marco Alphonso Preston, Donovan Elias Preston, and Paulos Menelik Preston; daughter-in-laws Mamie Preston (Edwin) and Delica Tammy Preston (Eric); and a host of family members and friends.

We are confident that God has received the soul of our beloved father, grandfather, cousin, and friend; that he may be blessed to live out eternity in perfect peace, with the ancestors and saints who have gone on before him, and now reside in that glorious city called Heaven!

The details for the Celebration of Life Service for Deacon Eugene Hammett Preston Jr. are as follows:

Wednesday, August 7, 2024

The People's Community Baptist Church, 31 Norwood Road, Silver Spring, MD 20905

Moments of Visitation: 10:00 a.m.

Omega Service: 10:30 a.m.

Celebration of Life Service: 11:00 a.m.

Interment: Parklawn Cemetery: 12800 Veirs Mill Road, Rockville, MD 20853 (21 min - 9.0 mi)

The service will be streamed LIVE from the sanctuary at https://vod.lifestream.tv/channel/tpcbc, TPCBC YouTube, and TPCBC Facebook. A mask is not required, but is recommended, in the building.

Note: In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to the Eugene H. Preston Jr. Memorial Scholarship Award fund via Go Fund Me

https://gofund.me/60b3b65d