Dennis James Preble

Dennis James Preble, born 6-9-1949 in Los Angeles California, passed away Wednesday 10-11-2023. Dennis’ formative years were spent in Tucson, Arizona, spending a great amount of time at his grandparents’ (E Jay Howenstine and Roberta O’Bannon Howenstine) homesteaded Indian Summer Ranch property abutted near the Tucson Mountains. It was there, as a youth, that he, sister and cousins loved running through the desert and across the arroyo, sleeping atop his grandparents’ carport to view the stars and listen to the coyotes, wild javelina and other wildlife. He loved the desert’s beauty and wildlife. He attended Tucson High School, Class of 1967. He used to joke that he and his classmates would fantasize about cutting class to go to Sabino Canyon or play golf. After graduating from high school and two years at U of A (University of Arizona), his USAR unit was called for active duty and as staff sergeant did a tour in Vietnam.

Dennis met his wife of 41 years, Theresa Gail Whitbeck, in Denver Colorado. From there he and Gail made many moves (Phoenix, AZ, San Francisco CA bay area, Long Beach, CA, Oklahoma City, OK, back to Denver, CO), and eventually settled in Portland, OR for the past 35 years. With each move he opened wholesale markets for various companies.

Dennis and Gail raised two children. He instilled in them the love of sports (basketball, baseball and golf) and the greater outdoors (hiking, rafting and fishing in the rivers and lakes of the greater NW - Oregon). He coached his son and daughter’s teams throughout their years in school and still today teammates of theirs simply refer to him affectionately as “coach.” He was loved by many.

His other pastime passions were gardening and then sketching the results of his loving efforts, reading with one book that stood out amongst the others, Blood Brother by Elliott Arnold, and no less than the aforementioned, cartoons! Dennis had a great sense of humor and left a library of old cartoon books and cartoon clippings. He would categorize the clipped cartoons, personalizing each with a family member’s name and then send to family members (his way of staying connected and sharing). Some of us would grumble, oh no not another cartoon clipping you want me to read! but it was always his most appreciative family member, brother-in-law Melvin, who always welcomed them.

Dennis is survived by his wife Gail, children Lauren Ashley Preble (Lynska) and Brandon Kyle Preble (Darcie), grandchild Carter William Preble, all of Oregon; sister Pat Rothove (Melvin) of Iowa; nephew Weston Haugebak and niece Shannon Moore of Iowa; step-mother Judy Preble of Arizona; sister Julie Braun (Mark) of Arizona; brother Michael Preble (Lori) of Colorado; nieces AJ Preble and Hope Preble of Colorado; a special cousin John Coinman of Arizona, an aunt and uncle Bill and Alice Howenstine of Illinois, and several other cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents James W. Preble and Roberta J. Howenstine Preble, a brother-in-law Clayton Haugebak, a beloved aunt, Ellen Howenstine Coinman, aunts, uncles and several cousins.

In memory of Dennis, he had charitable organizations he was interested in and donated to: Sierra Club; The Nature Conservancy; National Parks Conservation Association; Defenders of Wildlife; Easterseals. A donation is welcomed.