Ronnie Carol Preston

There comes a time when every man is called home. Today, Ronnie Carol Preston was that man. Born on April 12, 1947 at Johnson Hospital in Loraine, Texas. Ronnie proved to all those around him that he was destined to stand out in the world. His parents, William Carol (Toby) Preston and Blanche Strain Preston, soon realized that a first-born son could be quite a hand full. ""Sometimes, Toby would come home and Ronnie and I would both be crying,"" Blanche laughed. After living in various cities in both west and central Texas, the Preston family finally settled in Salado. Graduating from Belton High School in 1965, Ronnie later attended the University of Texas in Austin. He worked at several family-owned businesses, was the store manager at 7-Bar Western Wear and later at Wells Boot Center in Hurst, Texas, before finally settling on working as a part-owner of an automobile dealership in Temple. It was in Salado where Ronnie met his wife, Sherry, and was introduced to fatherhood. Ronnie was a father and mentor to Sherry's daughter, Misty. And later, when blessed with three beautiful grandchildren and two step-grandchildren, Ronnie made clear to anyone who would listen that these children were the light of his life and his eternal legacy. Ronnie had unimaginable strength in the face of adversity and illness. He was a pillar of strength and a beacon of hope, reminding each of us to march forward with our head held high. He was a dutiful son, a guiding brother, a supportive husband, a doting grandfather, a loving uncle, and an unwavering friend. Ronnie is survived by his parents, Toby and Blanche Preston, wife Sherry, daughter Misty Rochford and husband Kevin, grandchildren Chase, Tinley, and Noah, step-grandchildren Hailey and Kylie, a sister Linda Preston, a brother John ""Ricky"" Preston and wife Juana, nephew David Preston and wife Jodee, niece Amber (Preston) Dankert and husband Will, niece Tristen (Williams) Bland and husband Jace, and a multitude of great-nieces, great-nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his grandparents Ed and Pearl Preston and Lee and Minnie Strain. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Crotty Funeral Home in Belton. Please visit www.crottyfh.com and post a tribute to Ronnie online. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, July 9th at 2 p.m. at the 3C Cowboy Church in Salado with Pastor Robert Whitefield officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The American Cancer Society. As C.S. Lewis once said, ""There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind."" Though those he leaves behind may cry a tear, we celebrate where Ronnie is going, and look forward to seeing him again. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Ronnie Carol Preston please visit our Sympathy Store.