Michael D. Preston

Michael was born to Mary Beapre (Preston-father unknown) in Kalamazoo Michigan. Michael graduated from Plainwell High School class of 1969. Michael was know by many names including, but not limited to, Mike, Mikey, "Sudsy" (which he hated) Lobo and Mr. P. Mike was born with a set of car keys in one hand, a wrench in the other screaming "I want a really fast car!" In high school Mike built a 1962 Ford Fairlane, but that was only the beginning..... On 12-6-1971 Mike entered the US Army. His rank of SP4 was issued on 2-29-73 and he became a veteran of the armed forces when discharged about 12-6-1975. On return home to Michigan, Mike worked in a factory (company unknown) but had the desire to move to sunny California. Mike hated the winter Michigan weather and only came back to Michigan to visit relatives and friends. He was quoted as saying "Michigan is a great state to be from!" John Thomas and Mike were high school friends and John followed Mike to Germany, although they were both army, they were not on the same base, but Mike visited John on occasion. After the military Mike and John hooked back up in California around 1977. One of their first road trips involved Mike driving John and some friends to Texas to pick up a 1970 Duster. Before moving to Vallejo, Mike resided in Richmond Ca and purchased a 1970 340 6-pack TA Challenger painted "Panther" pink. Mike worked some odd jobs in California but eventually became a contractor for Chevron. Because of his work ethic, he became a full-time employee and retired from Chevron after working 30 plus years. Mike eventually purchased a home in Vallejo and on the property was a small house with a primitive "garage" where the magic of car building began. John eventually moved in with Mike and the two BFF's became inseparable. In Aug of 2001 John and Mike hopped into the hot and cramped 33 Dodge Coup and started a month-long trek driving as long as possible on Route 66. Their first stop was Columbus Ohio where they received the "longest distance" award from the Good Guys. They then traveled to Michigan to visit family, specifically, Mike's niece Jennifer and friends and attended a car show in Paw Paw. From there they drove on to Toledo Ohio to Summit Racing and on to Lincoln Nebraska to another popular car show. Their last stop was Reno Nevada for Hot August Nights (that the 2 friends would attend nearly every year until 2023) and then back to California. Eventually Mike built a larger "shop" and his builds included the 57 Ranchero, 32 Roadster, Challenger etc.................. Mike's parents retired to Las Vegas Nevada and one year he drove the 57 Ranchero to sin city and met up with his niece Jennifer and the 2 hung out with the parents during the day and painted the town at night. Jennifer is 6 years Mike's junior and when Mike was 12 Jennifer would play war with his army men, watch him race down the hills on AB avenue in Plainwell and she would bug Mike and John when they played pool in the basement. Mike and Jennifer remained close over the years, writing letters to each other when he was in the service and staying in touch when he moved to California. There were at least a dozen trips to Las Vegas when Mike and Jennifer would meet up and go out to have fun on the town and there were a handful of times when John came along as well. Jennifer referred to John as the "brother she never wanted" but it was evident they were close. Mike and Jennifer considered each other more like brother and sister as well. The 3 Musketeers could get in a lot of trouble in LV, but what happens in Las Vegas....... Mike's first car club membership in California was the SWANX but Mike and John eventually joined the Boys in the Hood car club, making at least 4 road trips with a wagon train of club members for miles. It was in this club that Mike earned the titles Mr P and Lobo. In 2018 on one road trip to Mount Rushmore in the Challenger, John remembers Mike putting the pedal to the metal and hit a top speed of 164 mph! Mike loved to travel with the car club but he also loved to travel with his friend Sue and together they went on several cruises to tropical and scenic locations. John, being a huge train enthusiast, helped strengthen Mikes desire to pursue trains, and the two shared many adventures going to train stations, round houses, museums and on mountain train excursions. John built his first train lay out in the small kitchen of the house, but once Mike got involved, they erected a small building behind the shop and put together the HO scale Troll Mountain Railway. Go to YouTube and type in Troll Mountain Railway to watch videos of the layout. In May of 2025 Mike planned a train excursion saying it was the "last time I will play travel agent." Mike was meticulous when it came to planning anything and all the pieces of the trip had to fit together perfectly. Jennifer took the Amtrak from Kalamazoo Michigan to Colorado and the boys drove from Vallejo to Denver where the 3 met up. The 1 1/2 wk trip took the troops to the Georgetown Loop, Durango Silverton and Toltec Cumbres, all narrow gauge steam engine trains where the scenery was awe-inspiring. In Flagstaff Arizona Jennifer took the Amtrak back to Michigan and the boys made their way back to California. It was a once in a lifetime trip and one that will stay in our hearts and memories forever. Mr P is survived by his brother, John Thomas, first friends and then devoted to each other like family. His niece, Jennifer Miller, who also considered Mike a brother and vice versa. Mr P is also survived by his Chevron, SWANX and Boys in the Hood brothers and sisters. Anyone who met Mr P, wether the first time or catching up, would find him smiling and with a positive outlook. Mr P had love for his friends cars, travel and life. Mr P is already greatly missed, but the memories of his laugh and vibrancy will remain in our hearts and minds. We love you Mr P, Mikey, Mike, Lobo, Sudsy with all our hearts and we know you are somewhere in Heaven checking under the hood of God's ride!!

Michael D. Preston

July 25, 1951 - September 6, 2026