James Preston Thompson was born Dec. 22, 1942, in Shattuck, Okla., the son of Lewis Elzy and Emily Hazel Keeton Thompson.

He grew up in Canadian, Texas and attended school in Guymon, Oklahoma, graduating from Guymon High School in 1961.

He then attended Oklahoma State University for two years before transferring to Panhandle State University, graduating in 1968, with a Bachelors Degree in Business.

A member of the Church of Christ by faith, Preston was united in marriage to Donna Arnold on Dec. 22, 1966, in Hooker, Okla.

They made their home in El Paso. Preston was employed by El Paso Natural Gas Company. In 1989, Burlington Northern purchased El Paso Natural Gas Company and Preston was relocated to Fort Worth. They made their home in Fort Worth, before moving to Monaville, in 2005. Preston then owned and operated his own business, Axa Financial, retiring in 2009.

He and Donna then moved to Sealy, where he worked for both Wal-Mart as a sales associate and Faith Academy Christian School in Bellville as a P.E. Coach for the elementary and secondary schools.

Preston had served as a deacon and head of the bus ministry at the Eastwood Church of Christ in El Paso and had been involved in the Boy Scouts of America where he earned his wood badge.

He loved spending time with his grandchildren, family, friends and his animals, and was an avid outdoorsman. Preston enjoyed fishing, gardening and canning. He also enjoyed all sports. He grew up as an avid fan of the Brooklyn Dodgers and was upset when they moved to LA.

Preston passed away Friday, Jan. 21, 2011, in Katy, at the age of 68.

He is survived by his wife  Donna Thompson of Sealy; daughters Rhea Ann Baker and her husband, Gary, of Bellville and Natalie Sero and her husband, Joe, of Austin; grandchildren Jacob Preston Thompson of Sealy, Meagan Rhea Ann Thompson of Weatherford, Kelly Baker of Baycliff, Laura Lamb and her husband, Stephen, of Alvin, Tyler Baker of La Grange, Sara Baker and her fiancé, Danny Williams, of La Grange and Jill McGinnis and her husband, Jesse, of Baycliff; great grandchildren  Makayla Lamb, Jeremy Lamb and Serenity McGinnis. He is also survived by his brother Eddy Thompson and his wife, Jenny, of Garden City, KS and goddaughter  Romi Schwartz and her husband, Michael, of Cypress; and other family and dear friends. Preston was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation, 7 a.m. - noon, Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2011, Schmidt Funeral Home, Bellville.

Funeral Service, 1 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2011, Schmidt Funeral Home Chapel, Pastor Joe Cesar, Pastor Len Shelby, officiating.

Interment: Pilgrims Rest Cemetery.

Pallbearers: Leonard Keeton, Lyle Keeton, Tyler Baker, Gary Baker, Mike Schwartz, Len Shelby

Honorary Pallbearers: Cecil Cooper, Larry Scranton, Joe Scranton, Jacob Thompson.

Friends who wish may make memorial gifts to the: Boy Scouts of America, P.O. Box 1401, Bellville, Texas 77418.

 Funeral arrangements under the direction of the Schmidt Funeral Home, P.O. Box 610, 12029 Hwy 36 South, Bellville, Texas 77418. (979)865-2424. www.schmidtfunerals.com