Dear Gary

Gary Leo Preston

1944 ~ 2010

Gary Leo Preston 1944-2010 of Orem is survived by his wife, Susie Jean Preston Little of Orem, and his six children, David Lavar Preston of Orem, Sarah Sue Preston of Salt Lake City, Daniel Lee Preston of Orem, Samuel Lynn Preston of Salt Lake City, Elizabeth Jean Crandall Preston (John) of Orem, and Rachael Leigh Preston (Jason Anderson) of Salt Lake City.

At age 65, Gary passed away succumbing to cancer, on January 25, 2010, surrounded by his loving family.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Monday, February 1, 2010, at the Cascade Stake Center, 481 East Center Street Orem, Utah. Family and friends may call Sunday evening, January 31, 2010, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Walker Sanderson Funeral Home, 646 East 800 North Orem, Utah. Interment will be at the Orem City Cemetery.

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Dear Mister-Gary-King-of-the-RB-and-Master-of-the-Video-World,

I realize you probably won't get this email, which means I can't expect to get one of your hilariously witty responses (you know, the ones full of inside jokes and wonderful ego-building-names).  Strangely enough, it was an email that gave me the first indication that something was wrong... or lack of email, I should say.  When you didn't respond back to my message within a few hours I knew things were different. 

It was great seeing you in the hospital... I mean, it wasn't great that you were in the hospital, but it was great seeing you in your usually joking, happy self.  

Today, as I was sitting in the chapel, listening to wonderful words that were spoken about you I realized there was so much I didn't know about you.  I had no idea of your conversion into the LDS faith, or that you lost your mother to cancer when you were a boy, or that you served a mission with the Navajo people, or that you had so many beautiful children.  I was grateful to meet your wife that day I saw you in the hospital, but am sorry that I didn't even know her name before that day.  I didn't know all the things that you accomplished, or the jobs that you had, or the calling your fulfilled.  I didn't know about the many hardships you had to endure. As Pat mentioned, you were a very private man.  A private man who wanted to know everything about everyone else.  And because of this I felt a twinge of sadness that you knew so much about my life and I sat there knowing so little.

But I did know your heart.  Everyone did.  I wasn't at all surprised by the many people who came to pay their respects. Nor was I surprised by how many people felt that they were one of your closest friends.  You have a talent for talking to people, for making them feel like they are important and special.  I will cherish the countless hours we shared just talking about life, dreams, the Gospel, or any other random subject that seemed appropriate at the time.  I am grateful for the countless hours of service your provided, being willing to come in and help no matter how inconvenient the time.  I appreciate your humor, your attention to details, your ability to make me feel like I was doing great things in the world.

You should know that there is a tremendous gap in the halls at BYU, and nobody will ever fill your shoes.  And I just hope that somehow this message gets to you to simply say, "thank you."  

I will miss you, friend.  But I look forward to the day we can meet up again and have a few more laughs.  I'm sure you will have some stories to tell then.

Big hug and so much love,

Robin