Edwards Harrison Preston

Edwards Harrison Preston, (Harry), passed away peacefully on February 3, 2015 at the age of 90 with his daughter, Sissy, by his side. Harry was born in Port Arthur, Texas on November 4, 1924 and lived in Houston, Texas until 1968 when he moved to New Braunfels, Texas.

Harry attended Loyola University in New Orleans and graduated from the University of Houston where he met his future wife, Frances Stewart. They were married in 1952. She was truly the love of his life and his queen. In 1960 Harry and Frances adopted a baby boy, Hoppie, from Edna Gladney in Fort Worth and in 1964 adopted a baby girl, Sissy.

The family lived in Houston and Harry was the Vice President of Texas Commerce. In 1968 he bought the Rosenberg Bank in Rosenberg, Texas and the Guaranty State Bank in New Braunfels and moved his family to New Braunfels. In 1973 he established the Canyon Lake Bank in Sattler, Texas and soon thereafter built the original Tye Preston Memorial Library. He was a member of the New Braunfels Rotary, the Comal County Reserve Deputy Sherriffs’ and the Allegra Dance Club.

He was an amateur photographer who loved the close up shot and taught both his children the art of dark room developing in his personal dark room in his home. He was a HAM, in more ways than one! He spent many hours with his amateur radios talking to people all over the world and helping out in emergency situations, including the earthquake in Mexico. His call letters were W5DOT. He was an avid deer and dove hunter in his earlier years and spent many wonderful times at the ranch with his family and with many of Hoppies friends teaching them to hunt. In his later years he preferred to feed the deer instead and had over 30 “pets” living in his front yard.

He was a gracious and giving man, always helping those in need, whether it be a loan from his bank, a gift or simply and encouraging word.

He is pre-deceased by his parents, Harrison Oren Preston (Hop) and Ida Edwards Preston (Tye), his wife, Frances Stewart Preston and his son, Harrison Oren Preston II (Hoppie). He is survived by his daughter, Elizabeth Helen Preston (Sissy) and his two grandchildren, Emily Elizabeth McMillin and Harrison Elliott Roach. His grandchildren were his world and gave him tremendous joy. He also leaves behind his much beloved pets, Tweetie his Maltese dog, Mittens the stray cat and 30 deer.

Visitation will be from 4 pm until 6 pm Thursday, February 5, 2015 at Zoeller Funeral Home. A funeral mass will be celebrated Friday, February 6, 2015 at 3 pm at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church. Graveside services will be Monday, February 9, 2015 at 2 pm at Greenlawn Cemetery in Port Arthur, Texas.

Donations may be made to the Tye Preston Memorial Library, 16311 South Access Road, Canyon Lake Texas 78133 (830)-964-3744.