Dwight Preston

Dwight was the son of Keenus and Corine Edlin Preston. He attended Rineyville Elementary and was a 1967 Graduate of West Hardin High School. He received his BA from Western Kentucky University in 1971.

Dwight served as a KY Bar Association Member for 50 years and received the highest rating as a “Martindale-Hubbell’s AV Preeminent” attorney. He graduated from the University of San Diego School of Law with the following achievements: J.D., magna cum laude, 1974, Chief Justice Honor Court 1973-1974 Phi Delta Phi and San Diego Law Review. After being admitted to the Kentucky bar in 1974, Dwight returned to Elizabethtown to practice law. Paul Lewis took him under his wing and together, they built the firm of Lewis and Preston. He served as the Commonwealth's Attorney, Hardin County from 1982-1992; he served as Hardin County Attorney, from 1978-1982.

Dwight was a true renaissance man. In addition to being a brilliant litigator (although he liked to say “I’m an attorney but I ain’t a very good one”), he was also a licensed racehorse trainer for 35 years. He enjoyed golf, swim (he loved being a lifeguard in his teens), and was an incredible dancer. To those that knew him, his wit, charisma, and sense of humor were unsurpassed and his kindness and generosity knew no bounds. He leaves a legacy of legal expertise through the younger attorneys he mentored, including Shane Young, Adam Cart, Evan Spalding, and a host of others.

Dwight was preceded in death by his beloved parents, Keenus and Corine Edlin Preston and son, Robert “Roby” Preston, and grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and his lifelong friend, Jackie Bruner.

Dwight is survived by his long time fiancé Kathy Ryan and her grandchildren, his children Patrick Preston (Sarah), John Cory Preston (Renee), and Megan Preston Barisik (Murat); his grandchildren, Case Preston, Ricki Corine Preston, Annalee Rose Preston, Lina Barisik; his step grandchildren Trent Byers and Jake Byers; and his sister Carol Sue Preston Moll (Frederick) and his brother, Richard Keenus Preston (Alane); former wife, Shelia Preston; former sister-in-law, Brenda Preston, and a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and his devoted staff at Lewis and Preston Attorneys at Law led by Cathy Hammond, his loyal paralegal for 40 years.

Private burial services will be held for family. A Celebration of Life to honor Dwight with his extended family and friends is forthcoming.