Rudy Preston, 87, formerly of Prescott
A funeral service for Rudy Preston is scheduled for 2 p.m., Monday, October 16, 2023, at Autry Funeral Home in Jacksonville with Pastor Paul Smith officiating. Visitation will begin 1 hour before. He will be laid to rest at Resthaven Memorial Park Cemetery in Jacksonville.
Rudy was born on August 17, 1936, to Charley Childress and Nancy Lorene (Repp) Harper in Jacksonville, Texas, and went to be with the Lord on October 9, 2023. Rudy was a very talented musician, singer/ songwriter who lived life to the fullest. Some of his musical accomplishments include producing several “Opry Type” stage shows such as Jacksonville Jamboree, The Louisiana Hayride, Big “D” Jamboree in Dallas among others. He enjoyed performing and entertaining for the Relay for Life in Jacksonville and Relay for Life in Hope, Arkansas where he helped raise money for Cancer Research for 20 years. He was an avid member of the Hope Lions Club for 30 years in Hope, Arkansas where he touched the lives of many. Rudy was blessed with a musical gift and took him all the way to the Grand Ole Opry stage where he was able to perform some of his greatest hits in the early 70’s with well-known Artists such as Roy Acuff, Dolly Parton, Bill Anderson, Buck Owens, and Porter Waggoner among many others. Rudy has written and co-written music with Gene Watson, Charley Pride, Dolly Parton, and so many other great country performers. Rudy Preston and the Showman Band was known around the music industry for many years and will be dearly missed in the musical country community he enjoyed so much. Collin Raye got his start in music playing guitar for the Showman Band. Jacksonville people fondly remember Rudy from the Love’s Lookout Dance Hall and the Amphitheater. He also was the publisher and editor of The Smith Co. American, Tyler Stars, and Ark-Latex Advertiser. In Rudy’s earlier years, he joined the United States Air Force where he did basic training at Lackland Air Force base and joined the Tops in Blue and performed in the “Star Parade” and traveled the United States and foreign countries performing for the troops in 1956. Rudy was an extremely talented musical soul who will be dearly missed by all who were blessed to have known him.
Rudy was preceded in death by his parents, Charley and Nancy Harper; beloved wife, Faye Preston; 4 brothers, Oscar Harper, Lloyd Harper, Aubrey Harper, and Robert Harper; and sister, Opal Cook.
Left to cherish Rudy’s memory are his son, Curtis Harper and wife Teresa of Jacksonville; and 2 daughters, Melody Walters and husband Keith of Jacksonville, and Jana Preston of Chapel Hill. He is also survived by his 3 brothers, James Harper of Tyler, David Harper of Tyler, and Tommy Harper of Tyler; and sister, Sharon Harper Coates of Tyler. He will be dearly missed by his 8 grandchildren: Jamie Goodman, Elizabeth Gage, Christian Butt, Courtney Harper, Anthony Walters, Kim Heinz, Michael Westbrook, and Gary Stovall; several great grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews, extended family, and loving friends.
Pallbearers are Jamie Goodman, Gary Stovall, Dustin Ramsey, John Diaz, Cameron Stovall, and Michael Westbrook.