Marvin Earl Preston, 81; of Pocatello passed away Tuesday, November 17, 2009 in Pocatello.

Marvin was born on January 29, 1928 in Declo, Idaho the son of Clifford and Edith Oneata Owen Preston.
Marv lived in Declo until the age of 9. Then the family moved to Burley where he lived until the age of 15 when his father bought a farm in Vale, Oregon. Here he lived with his family and worked on the family farm until he was called to serve a two year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the British Isles. Upon his return in 1950, he married Lucile Burton in the Salt Lake City Temple. They were married for 29 years and were later divorced and have remained dear friends. Together they have 4 sons: Earl, Clint, Kelly and Sam and 1 daughter, Marcile. After they were married they lived in Vale and Prairie City, Oregon. In 1951 they moved to Utah where he worked for the LDS church. He operated the South Salt Lake Stake farm in Sandy, then the Sugarhouse and Wilford Stake farms in Lehi. In 1969 he moved his family to Snowville where he and his brother Ken rented land to grow Sugar Beets for U & I Sugar. One year later he and Ken added Merv to their partnership and moved to Raft River, Idaho leasing 3200 acres from JR Simplot (The C & Y Ranch). He, his brothers and his sons operated this farm growing sugar beets, potatoes, grain and alfalfa and built a 350 cow dairy.

In 1972 he moved his family to the Fort Hall Indian Reservation where he leased 1400 acres, growing sugar beets and grain. This was in operation until 1978. During the winters he and his sons would haul feed potatoes and sugar beets from stock piles to factories. This is when he fell in love with trucking. In 1978 he became a full-time truck driver. He bought his first truck and hired on at Dunkleys as an owner/operator.

On June 9, 1979 he married Maria Guadalupe Alcaraz in Reno, Nevada. Together they have 2 children, Marilla and Marvin Jr. After the children were raised, Lupe became his driving companion. Together they enjoyed traveling across the country and seeing the beautiful American landscape as they worked. In 2004 at the age of 76 Marv retired. During his 27 years of trucking he logged over 4.5 million miles.

Marv was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints serving in the auxiliaries of the church and in the Bishopric and High Council. Marvin was a man of integrity, a friend to all and had a gentle heart. He was a kind soul and his greatest joy was his family. He will be sorely missed.

The family would like to thank Lupe for her loving care and heartfelt devotion to him during his years of illness. The family would also like to thank the staff at Hillcrest Haven for their loving kindness and tender care in his behalf.

He is survived by his wife, and children: Earl and Gloria Preston of Blackfoot, Idaho; Marcile and Bill Minor of Pocatello, Idaho; Clint and Sandijo Preston of Plano, Texas; Kelly and Lori Preston of Pocatello, Idaho; Sam and Anne Preston of Blackfoot, Idaho; Mirella and Ryan Reed of Pingree, Idaho; Marvin Jr. and Lacie Preston of North Las Vegas, Nevada. He is also survived by 24 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren; brothers, Mervin Preston of Blackfoot, Charles Preston of Buhl, Idaho; sisters Vivian Lewis of Kimberly, Idaho and Edna Lee of Twin Falls, Idaho.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a grandson, Jess Preston and six brothers Lavon, Richard, Frankie, Francis, Ken and Deed Preston.

Funeral Services were held Saturday, November 21, 2009 in Pocatello at the Highland 3rd Ward Chapel (2300 Butte Dr.) at 12 Noon. Interment was held at the Thomas Cemetery at 3 p.m. Donations may be sent to the family in Care of the Sims Funeral Home at 139 East 2nd South, Soda Springs, ID 83276.