Preston Durell Phillips, 70, of Beaumont, Texas formerly of Jasper, Texas passed away Thursday, March 16, 2023, at Holland Place Senior Living Center. Preston was born August 2, 1952 in Jasper, Texas to William and Johnnie Ruth Phillips.

Preston was a member of First Baptist Church of Beauxart Gardens and retired from Jefferson County Drainage District #7 after twenty-eight years of service as a supervisor. Preston proudly served his country in the United States Marine Corps. He was a talented Metal Fabricator who enjoyed building cars from scratch. Preston’s passion was racing the cars he built.

Preston was preceded in death by his parents, William Phillips and Johnnie Ruth (Byerly) Phillips; wife, Bette (Pittman) Phillips; and his stepson, Jake Smith.

Those left to cherish Preston’s memory are his stepson, Brent Smith and his wife, April of San Antonio, Texas; grandchildren, Kyle Smith and Skyler Smith; sister Dianne Gardner and her husband, Paul of Jasper, Texas; brother, Dean Phillips and his wife, Sherry of Jasper, Texas; nephew, Kevin Gardner and his wife, Michelle of Beaumont, Texas; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers Memorial Contributions in Honor of Preston Durell Phillips may be made to Alzheimer’s Association at: act.al.org.

A gathering of family and friends will be held Monday, March 20, 2023 from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m., with a Celebration of Preston’s Life to begin at 11:00 a.m., at Melancon’s Funeral Home in Nederland. Cremation services will take place following the service and will be under the direction of Melancon’s Funeral Home. A graveside service will be held at 9:00 a.m., Thursday, March 23, 2023, at Greenlawn Memorial Park in Groves, Texas.