Morris was the second born son of Paul Trenton DePreste, Sr. and Evalina "Evelyn" (Hook) DePreste. Both he and his older brother Paul Jr., were born in Dade County, Missouri while their parents were living in the old family homestead farmhouse on an eighty-acre farm just southwest of Miller in neighboring Lawrence County. Paul Jr. was born at Dr. Watt O. Cowan's home residence and hospital in Greenfield and Morris was born at Dr. Cowan's new clinic in Lockwood. By 1949, their parents had bought a home on the corner of West Mt. Vernon and South Golden Avenue in Springfield, Greene County, where sister Vicki was born at the old St. John's Hospital and four years later, his younger brother Brian was born at the new St. John's Hospital.
When our parents sold their home in Springfield, they bought a new 40' x 8' (single wide) Spartan Trailer and a new International Pickup and moved back to the farm for a time before moving on to Texas in the summer of 1955. We moved first to Big Spring for a few weeks where our dad connected with Thomas and Alma Reed (Reed Oil Company, Inc., formerly of Springfield, Missouri), then moved west to Odessa for a short time, then west again to Pecos where dad managed a Reed Oil Gas Station, and lastly back east to Midland where dad worked for the Bush Drilling Company (later U.S. President George H. W. Bush). In the fall of 1956, our family moved on to Livermore, California where our sister Joyce and youngest brother James were born, both at the old St. Paul's Hospital.
Paul, Morris and Vicki were relatively close in age and from earliest memories in Missouri and Texas, we enjoyed many fun times together. As the family grew and our mother became ever busier as our younger siblings were born, she may have encouraged them to include me in their adventures at times, which they often did anyway. Younger brother Brian was amiable and good natured and was always a good companion. Our little sister Joyce was an adorably beautiful baby and toddler, and we all enjoyed our youngest brother James as he entertained us by saying and doing things in funny ways that made us laugh. We were truly blessed with many wonderful childhood experiences and memories.
Morris graduated from Livermore Union High School in 1965. He may have received his first draft notice in late 1966 while the family was living in Richmond, California but was given a delay to report due to injuries sustained in a car accident.
Morris was inducted into the Army on July 12th, 1967 in Oakland, Alameda County, California. He was sent first to Fort Bliss in Texas for basic training, then on to Fort Benning in Georgia for Jungle Warfare Training, and lastly to Fort Carson in Colorado for Advanced Warfare Training and was probably where he received his qualification as a Sharpshooter. Our brother Paul, on leave from Long Beach, had accompanied our dad who personally test fired and purchased an M1911 Colt .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol for Morris at a gun shop in Oakland, California. The gun was mailed to Morris in Vietnam. He had requested the gun in a letter for use in clearing Viet Cong from tunnels. Morris was wounded in action and was awarded a Purple Heart, two Bronze Stars, and an Army Commendation Medal during his tour of service in Vietnam. Sadly, there is only one picture of Morris during his training / service as he apparently destroyed them and threw away his uniform(s) at the time of, or shortly after being mustered out of the Army on July 11, 1973.
When the school year ended in June of 1969, our parents and the three younger siblings moved back to the family farm near Miller, Missouri. By that time, Paul was married, and he, Morris and I were working and living on our own in the East Bay Area. When I was married the next year, Paul and Linda were Best Man and Matron of Honor, and Morris stood in for dad to give my hand in marriage.
Morris was married on May 3, 1972 to Patricia "Patti" Marie Lawley in or near Oakdale in Amador County, California. His brother Paul and sister-in-law Linda went with them and stood as attendants and witnesses to the marriage. Morris and Patti had one child, Joshua Cameron DePreste. Morris and Patti were divorced in 1983.
He was to find his true and lasting love and life partner during an extended trip with son Joshua to visit family in Missouri. Morris and Deborah "Debbie" Lee (Mason) Creson were married December 5, 1983 at the iconic Park Wedding Chapel in Reno, Washoe County, Nevada. Brother Paul and sister-in-law Linda again accompanied and served as Best Man, Matron of Honor and witnesses. (It was the same wedding chapel where Paul and Linda had been married in 1967, across the street from the Washoe County Courthouse.) Debbie and Morris became a blended family with three children; Morris' son Joshua, and Debbie's children, Michelle Lea and Brian Keith Creson. They first bought a condominium in Fremont and lived there for a number of years before purchasing a newly built home in Hayward.
In the summer of 2017, Morris and Debbie, her daughter Michelle, and son Brian and his wife Gina and young son Logan, moved to Texas. On June 22nd, Morris and Debbie and the sweet family dog Harley, stopped by to visit his sister Vicki and brother-in-law Ron on their way moving to Texas. Morris came back shortly afterwards to tie up loose ends on the sale of their home in Hayward and his retirement package from Kamatsu Forklift. Debbie then flew back to California to help Morris finish the sale of their home and to accompany him driving their last vehicle back to Texas.
The first indication that Morris was ill was in October of 2018. His brother Paul and sister-in-law Linda had flown into Dallas to visit Morris and Debbie in Aubrey and while there, Morris drove them to visit family in southwest Missouri. Morris had a sore throat and felt unwell during the trip and not long after Paul and Linda's visit, he underwent a myriad of examinations, tests and scans and was diagnosed with small cell lung cancer. It was his third diagnosis of different types of cancer and of undergoing treatments since his exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam. He underwent immunotherapy and chemotherapy, and though the treatments caused difficult side effects, he kept a positive attitude throughout and was determined to beat cancer for a third time. His devoted wife Debbie was a full and totally supportive partner through all his tests and treatments. The family believed if anyone could beat the odds, it would be Morris. Never having quit a battle, he never gave up the fight and fought to the very end. Our beloved Morris passed from this life on Tuesday, September 17, 2019 at 2:57 a.m.
[The early family information was supplied by our mother Evalina "Evelyn" (Hook) DePreste in 1999 for a family history. The information about our father purchasing a handgun for Morris to use in Vietnam was recently shared by our brother Paul, Jr. with additional important information and insights from our brother Brian and his wife Donita. And blessings on our dear sister-in-law Debbie who was a true stalwart in caring for Morris and keeping our family updated. ~ My heartfelt thanks to each and every one of them. Vicki (DePreste) Peterson.]
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morris' Obituary
U.S. Veteran
Morris Gaylord DePreste, 72, of Aubrey, TX, passed peacefully from this life into eternal life on Tuesday, September 17, 2019 in Frisco, TX. He was born April 2, 1947 in Lockwood, MO to Paul Trenton DePreste, Sr. and Evalina (Hook) DePreste. Morris married Deborah Lee Mason on December 5, 1983 in Reno, NV.
Morris graduated from Livermore High School. He served in the United States Army in Vietnam from 1967 to 1969 as a US Army Staff Sergeant and was qualified as a sharpshooter. He was awarded the Purple Heart and two Bronze stars for his service in Vietnam. Morris was also a dedicated fork lift mechanic until he retired in July 2017 and decided to move to Texas.
He loved the outdoors, fishing, camping, and hunting with his brother Paul in California. Morris was a wonderful man, friendly and respectful to everyone he met. He will be missed greatly by all who knew him.
Morris is survived by his wife, Deborah of Aubrey, TX; mother, Evalina; children, Joshua Cameron DePreste of Denver, CO, Brian Creson and wife Gina of Aubrey, TX, and Michelle Creson of Aubrey, TX; grandchild, Logan Creson of Aubrey, TX; three brothers, Paul Trenton DePreste Jr. and wife Linda of Livermore, CA, Brian DePreste and wife Donita of Springfield, MO, and James DePreste of Joplin, MO; and two sisters, Vicki Peterson and husband Ronald of Clovis, CA and Joyce De Preste of Joplin, MO. He was preceded in death by his father, Paul.
Inurnment will be 11:00AM on September 30, 2019 at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery in Dallas, TX. Online condolences may be shared at www.slaymemorialfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Phyllis Stout and Slay Memorial Funeral Center. [https://www.slaymemorialfuneralhome.com/obituary/morris-de-preste?fh_id=16052]
When our parents sold their home in Springfield, they bought a new 40' x 8' (single wide) Spartan Trailer and a new International Pickup and moved back to the farm for a time before moving on to Texas in the summer of 1955. We moved first to Big Spring for a few weeks where our dad connected with Thomas and Alma Reed (Reed Oil Company, Inc., formerly of Springfield, Missouri), then moved west to Odessa for a short time, then west again to Pecos where dad managed a Reed Oil Gas Station, and lastly back east to Midland where dad worked for the Bush Drilling Company (later U.S. President George H. W. Bush). In the fall of 1956, our family moved on to Livermore, California where our sister Joyce and youngest brother James were born, both at the old St. Paul's Hospital.
Paul, Morris and Vicki were relatively close in age and from earliest memories in Missouri and Texas, we enjoyed many fun times together. As the family grew and our mother became ever busier as our younger siblings were born, she may have encouraged them to include me in their adventures at times, which they often did anyway. Younger brother Brian was amiable and good natured and was always a good companion. Our little sister Joyce was an adorably beautiful baby and toddler, and we all enjoyed our youngest brother James as he entertained us by saying and doing things in funny ways that made us laugh. We were truly blessed with many wonderful childhood experiences and memories.
Morris graduated from Livermore Union High School in 1965. He may have received his first draft notice in late 1966 while the family was living in Richmond, California but was given a delay to report due to injuries sustained in a car accident.
Morris was inducted into the Army on July 12th, 1967 in Oakland, Alameda County, California. He was sent first to Fort Bliss in Texas for basic training, then on to Fort Benning in Georgia for Jungle Warfare Training, and lastly to Fort Carson in Colorado for Advanced Warfare Training and was probably where he received his qualification as a Sharpshooter. Our brother Paul, on leave from Long Beach, had accompanied our dad who personally test fired and purchased an M1911 Colt .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol for Morris at a gun shop in Oakland, California. The gun was mailed to Morris in Vietnam. He had requested the gun in a letter for use in clearing Viet Cong from tunnels. Morris was wounded in action and was awarded a Purple Heart, two Bronze Stars, and an Army Commendation Medal during his tour of service in Vietnam. Sadly, there is only one picture of Morris during his training / service as he apparently destroyed them and threw away his uniform(s) at the time of, or shortly after being mustered out of the Army on July 11, 1973.
When the school year ended in June of 1969, our parents and the three younger siblings moved back to the family farm near Miller, Missouri. By that time, Paul was married, and he, Morris and I were working and living on our own in the East Bay Area. When I was married the next year, Paul and Linda were Best Man and Matron of Honor, and Morris stood in for dad to give my hand in marriage.
Morris was married on May 3, 1972 to Patricia "Patti" Marie Lawley in or near Oakdale in Amador County, California. His brother Paul and sister-in-law Linda went with them and stood as attendants and witnesses to the marriage. Morris and Patti had one child, Joshua Cameron DePreste. Morris and Patti were divorced in 1983.
He was to find his true and lasting love and life partner during an extended trip with son Joshua to visit family in Missouri. Morris and Deborah "Debbie" Lee (Mason) Creson were married December 5, 1983 at the iconic Park Wedding Chapel in Reno, Washoe County, Nevada. Brother Paul and sister-in-law Linda again accompanied and served as Best Man, Matron of Honor and witnesses. (It was the same wedding chapel where Paul and Linda had been married in 1967, across the street from the Washoe County Courthouse.) Debbie and Morris became a blended family with three children; Morris' son Joshua, and Debbie's children, Michelle Lea and Brian Keith Creson. They first bought a condominium in Fremont and lived there for a number of years before purchasing a newly built home in Hayward.
In the summer of 2017, Morris and Debbie, her daughter Michelle, and son Brian and his wife Gina and young son Logan, moved to Texas. On June 22nd, Morris and Debbie and the sweet family dog Harley, stopped by to visit his sister Vicki and brother-in-law Ron on their way moving to Texas. Morris came back shortly afterwards to tie up loose ends on the sale of their home in Hayward and his retirement package from Kamatsu Forklift. Debbie then flew back to California to help Morris finish the sale of their home and to accompany him driving their last vehicle back to Texas.
The first indication that Morris was ill was in October of 2018. His brother Paul and sister-in-law Linda had flown into Dallas to visit Morris and Debbie in Aubrey and while there, Morris drove them to visit family in southwest Missouri. Morris had a sore throat and felt unwell during the trip and not long after Paul and Linda's visit, he underwent a myriad of examinations, tests and scans and was diagnosed with small cell lung cancer. It was his third diagnosis of different types of cancer and of undergoing treatments since his exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam. He underwent immunotherapy and chemotherapy, and though the treatments caused difficult side effects, he kept a positive attitude throughout and was determined to beat cancer for a third time. His devoted wife Debbie was a full and totally supportive partner through all his tests and treatments. The family believed if anyone could beat the odds, it would be Morris. Never having quit a battle, he never gave up the fight and fought to the very end. Our beloved Morris passed from this life on Tuesday, September 17, 2019 at 2:57 a.m.
[The early family information was supplied by our mother Evalina "Evelyn" (Hook) DePreste in 1999 for a family history. The information about our father purchasing a handgun for Morris to use in Vietnam was recently shared by our brother Paul, Jr. with additional important information and insights from our brother Brian and his wife Donita. And blessings on our dear sister-in-law Debbie who was a true stalwart in caring for Morris and keeping our family updated. ~ My heartfelt thanks to each and every one of them. Vicki (DePreste) Peterson.]
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morris' Obituary
U.S. Veteran
Morris Gaylord DePreste, 72, of Aubrey, TX, passed peacefully from this life into eternal life on Tuesday, September 17, 2019 in Frisco, TX. He was born April 2, 1947 in Lockwood, MO to Paul Trenton DePreste, Sr. and Evalina (Hook) DePreste. Morris married Deborah Lee Mason on December 5, 1983 in Reno, NV.
Morris graduated from Livermore High School. He served in the United States Army in Vietnam from 1967 to 1969 as a US Army Staff Sergeant and was qualified as a sharpshooter. He was awarded the Purple Heart and two Bronze stars for his service in Vietnam. Morris was also a dedicated fork lift mechanic until he retired in July 2017 and decided to move to Texas.
He loved the outdoors, fishing, camping, and hunting with his brother Paul in California. Morris was a wonderful man, friendly and respectful to everyone he met. He will be missed greatly by all who knew him.
Morris is survived by his wife, Deborah of Aubrey, TX; mother, Evalina; children, Joshua Cameron DePreste of Denver, CO, Brian Creson and wife Gina of Aubrey, TX, and Michelle Creson of Aubrey, TX; grandchild, Logan Creson of Aubrey, TX; three brothers, Paul Trenton DePreste Jr. and wife Linda of Livermore, CA, Brian DePreste and wife Donita of Springfield, MO, and James DePreste of Joplin, MO; and two sisters, Vicki Peterson and husband Ronald of Clovis, CA and Joyce De Preste of Joplin, MO. He was preceded in death by his father, Paul.
Inurnment will be 11:00AM on September 30, 2019 at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery in Dallas, TX. Online condolences may be shared at www.slaymemorialfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Phyllis Stout and Slay Memorial Funeral Center. [https://www.slaymemorialfuneralhome.com/obituary/morris-de-preste?fh_id=16052]
Morris was the second born son of Paul Trenton DePreste, Sr. and Evalina "Evelyn" (Hook) DePreste. Both he and his older brother Paul Jr., were born in Dade County, Missouri while their parents were living in the old family homestead farmhouse on an eighty-acre farm just southwest of Miller in neighboring Lawrence County. Paul Jr. was born at Dr. Watt O. Cowan's home residence and hospital in Greenfield and Morris was born at Dr. Cowan's new clinic in Lockwood. By 1949, their parents had bought a home on the corner of West Mt. Vernon and South Golden Avenue in Springfield, Greene County, where sister Vicki was born at the old St. John's Hospital and four years later, his younger brother Brian was born at the new St. John's Hospital.
When our parents sold their home in Springfield, they bought a new 40' x 8' (single wide) Spartan Trailer and a new International Pickup and moved back to the farm for a time before moving on to Texas in the summer of 1955. We moved first to Big Spring for a few weeks where our dad connected with Thomas and Alma Reed (Reed Oil Company, Inc., formerly of Springfield, Missouri), then moved west to Odessa for a short time, then west again to Pecos where dad managed a Reed Oil Gas Station, and lastly back east to Midland where dad worked for the Bush Drilling Company (later U.S. President George H. W. Bush). In the fall of 1956, our family moved on to Livermore, California where our sister Joyce and youngest brother James were born, both at the old St. Paul's Hospital.
Paul, Morris and Vicki were relatively close in age and from earliest memories in Missouri and Texas, we enjoyed many fun times together. As the family grew and our mother became ever busier as our younger siblings were born, she may have encouraged them to include me in their adventures at times, which they often did anyway. Younger brother Brian was amiable and good natured and was always a good companion. Our little sister Joyce was an adorably beautiful baby and toddler, and we all enjoyed our youngest brother James as he entertained us by saying and doing things in funny ways that made us laugh. We were truly blessed with many wonderful childhood experiences and memories.
Morris graduated from Livermore Union High School in 1965. He may have received his first draft notice in late 1966 while the family was living in Richmond, California but was given a delay to report due to injuries sustained in a car accident.
Morris was inducted into the Army on July 12th, 1967 in Oakland, Alameda County, California. He was sent first to Fort Bliss in Texas for basic training, then on to Fort Benning in Georgia for Jungle Warfare Training, and lastly to Fort Carson in Colorado for Advanced Warfare Training and was probably where he received his qualification as a Sharpshooter. Our brother Paul, on leave from Long Beach, had accompanied our dad who personally test fired and purchased an M1911 Colt .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol for Morris at a gun shop in Oakland, California. The gun was mailed to Morris in Vietnam. He had requested the gun in a letter for use in clearing Viet Cong from tunnels. Morris was wounded in action and was awarded a Purple Heart, two Bronze Stars, and an Army Commendation Medal during his tour of service in Vietnam. Sadly, there is only one picture of Morris during his training / service as he apparently destroyed them and threw away his uniform(s) at the time of, or shortly after being mustered out of the Army on July 11, 1973.
When the school year ended in June of 1969, our parents and the three younger siblings moved back to the family farm near Miller, Missouri. By that time, Paul was married, and he, Morris and I were working and living on our own in the East Bay Area. When I was married the next year, Paul and Linda were Best Man and Matron of Honor, and Morris stood in for dad to give my hand in marriage.
Morris was married on May 3, 1972 to Patricia "Patti" Marie Lawley in or near Oakdale in Amador County, California. His brother Paul and sister-in-law Linda went with them and stood as attendants and witnesses to the marriage. Morris and Patti had one child, Joshua Cameron DePreste. Morris and Patti were divorced in 1983.
He was to find his true and lasting love and life partner during an extended trip with son Joshua to visit family in Missouri. Morris and Deborah "Debbie" Lee (Mason) Creson were married December 5, 1983 at the iconic Park Wedding Chapel in Reno, Washoe County, Nevada. Brother Paul and sister-in-law Linda again accompanied and served as Best Man, Matron of Honor and witnesses. (It was the same wedding chapel where Paul and Linda had been married in 1967, across the street from the Washoe County Courthouse.) Debbie and Morris became a blended family with three children; Morris' son Joshua, and Debbie's children, Michelle Lea and Brian Keith Creson. They first bought a condominium in Fremont and lived there for a number of years before purchasing a newly built home in Hayward.
In the summer of 2017, Morris and Debbie, her daughter Michelle, and son Brian and his wife Gina and young son Logan, moved to Texas. On June 22nd, Morris and Debbie and the sweet family dog Harley, stopped by to visit his sister Vicki and brother-in-law Ron on their way moving to Texas. Morris came back shortly afterwards to tie up loose ends on the sale of their home in Hayward and his retirement package from Kamatsu Forklift. Debbie then flew back to California to help Morris finish the sale of their home and to accompany him driving their last vehicle back to Texas.
The first indication that Morris was ill was in October of 2018. His brother Paul and sister-in-law Linda had flown into Dallas to visit Morris and Debbie in Aubrey and while there, Morris drove them to visit family in southwest Missouri. Morris had a sore throat and felt unwell during the trip and not long after Paul and Linda's visit, he underwent a myriad of examinations, tests and scans and was diagnosed with small cell lung cancer. It was his third diagnosis of different types of cancer and of undergoing treatments since his exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam. He underwent immunotherapy and chemotherapy, and though the treatments caused difficult side effects, he kept a positive attitude throughout and was determined to beat cancer for a third time. His devoted wife Debbie was a full and totally supportive partner through all his tests and treatments. The family believed if anyone could beat the odds, it would be Morris. Never having quit a battle, he never gave up the fight and fought to the very end. Our beloved Morris passed from this life on Tuesday, September 17, 2019 at 2:57 a.m.
[The early family information was supplied by our mother Evalina "Evelyn" (Hook) DePreste in 1999 for a family history. The information about our father purchasing a handgun for Morris to use in Vietnam was recently shared by our brother Paul, Jr. with additional important information and insights from our brother Brian and his wife Donita. And blessings on our dear sister-in-law Debbie who was a true stalwart in caring for Morris and keeping our family updated. ~ My heartfelt thanks to each and every one of them. Vicki (DePreste) Peterson.]
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morris' Obituary
U.S. Veteran
Morris Gaylord DePreste, 72, of Aubrey, TX, passed peacefully from this life into eternal life on Tuesday, September 17, 2019 in Frisco, TX. He was born April 2, 1947 in Lockwood, MO to Paul Trenton DePreste, Sr. and Evalina (Hook) DePreste. Morris married Deborah Lee Mason on December 5, 1983 in Reno, NV.
Morris graduated from Livermore High School. He served in the United States Army in Vietnam from 1967 to 1969 as a US Army Staff Sergeant and was qualified as a sharpshooter. He was awarded the Purple Heart and two Bronze stars for his service in Vietnam. Morris was also a dedicated fork lift mechanic until he retired in July 2017 and decided to move to Texas.
He loved the outdoors, fishing, camping, and hunting with his brother Paul in California. Morris was a wonderful man, friendly and respectful to everyone he met. He will be missed greatly by all who knew him.
Morris is survived by his wife, Deborah of Aubrey, TX; mother, Evalina; children, Joshua Cameron DePreste of Denver, CO, Brian Creson and wife Gina of Aubrey, TX, and Michelle Creson of Aubrey, TX; grandchild, Logan Creson of Aubrey, TX; three brothers, Paul Trenton DePreste Jr. and wife Linda of Livermore, CA, Brian DePreste and wife Donita of Springfield, MO, and James DePreste of Joplin, MO; and two sisters, Vicki Peterson and husband Ronald of Clovis, CA and Joyce De Preste of Joplin, MO. He was preceded in death by his father, Paul.
Inurnment will be 11:00AM on September 30, 2019 at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery in Dallas, TX. Online condolences may be shared at www.slaymemorialfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Phyllis Stout and Slay Memorial Funeral Center. [https://www.slaymemorialfuneralhome.com/obituary/morris-de-preste?fh_id=16052]
When our parents sold their home in Springfield, they bought a new 40' x 8' (single wide) Spartan Trailer and a new International Pickup and moved back to the farm for a time before moving on to Texas in the summer of 1955. We moved first to Big Spring for a few weeks where our dad connected with Thomas and Alma Reed (Reed Oil Company, Inc., formerly of Springfield, Missouri), then moved west to Odessa for a short time, then west again to Pecos where dad managed a Reed Oil Gas Station, and lastly back east to Midland where dad worked for the Bush Drilling Company (later U.S. President George H. W. Bush). In the fall of 1956, our family moved on to Livermore, California where our sister Joyce and youngest brother James were born, both at the old St. Paul's Hospital.
Paul, Morris and Vicki were relatively close in age and from earliest memories in Missouri and Texas, we enjoyed many fun times together. As the family grew and our mother became ever busier as our younger siblings were born, she may have encouraged them to include me in their adventures at times, which they often did anyway. Younger brother Brian was amiable and good natured and was always a good companion. Our little sister Joyce was an adorably beautiful baby and toddler, and we all enjoyed our youngest brother James as he entertained us by saying and doing things in funny ways that made us laugh. We were truly blessed with many wonderful childhood experiences and memories.
Morris graduated from Livermore Union High School in 1965. He may have received his first draft notice in late 1966 while the family was living in Richmond, California but was given a delay to report due to injuries sustained in a car accident.
Morris was inducted into the Army on July 12th, 1967 in Oakland, Alameda County, California. He was sent first to Fort Bliss in Texas for basic training, then on to Fort Benning in Georgia for Jungle Warfare Training, and lastly to Fort Carson in Colorado for Advanced Warfare Training and was probably where he received his qualification as a Sharpshooter. Our brother Paul, on leave from Long Beach, had accompanied our dad who personally test fired and purchased an M1911 Colt .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol for Morris at a gun shop in Oakland, California. The gun was mailed to Morris in Vietnam. He had requested the gun in a letter for use in clearing Viet Cong from tunnels. Morris was wounded in action and was awarded a Purple Heart, two Bronze Stars, and an Army Commendation Medal during his tour of service in Vietnam. Sadly, there is only one picture of Morris during his training / service as he apparently destroyed them and threw away his uniform(s) at the time of, or shortly after being mustered out of the Army on July 11, 1973.
When the school year ended in June of 1969, our parents and the three younger siblings moved back to the family farm near Miller, Missouri. By that time, Paul was married, and he, Morris and I were working and living on our own in the East Bay Area. When I was married the next year, Paul and Linda were Best Man and Matron of Honor, and Morris stood in for dad to give my hand in marriage.
Morris was married on May 3, 1972 to Patricia "Patti" Marie Lawley in or near Oakdale in Amador County, California. His brother Paul and sister-in-law Linda went with them and stood as attendants and witnesses to the marriage. Morris and Patti had one child, Joshua Cameron DePreste. Morris and Patti were divorced in 1983.
He was to find his true and lasting love and life partner during an extended trip with son Joshua to visit family in Missouri. Morris and Deborah "Debbie" Lee (Mason) Creson were married December 5, 1983 at the iconic Park Wedding Chapel in Reno, Washoe County, Nevada. Brother Paul and sister-in-law Linda again accompanied and served as Best Man, Matron of Honor and witnesses. (It was the same wedding chapel where Paul and Linda had been married in 1967, across the street from the Washoe County Courthouse.) Debbie and Morris became a blended family with three children; Morris' son Joshua, and Debbie's children, Michelle Lea and Brian Keith Creson. They first bought a condominium in Fremont and lived there for a number of years before purchasing a newly built home in Hayward.
In the summer of 2017, Morris and Debbie, her daughter Michelle, and son Brian and his wife Gina and young son Logan, moved to Texas. On June 22nd, Morris and Debbie and the sweet family dog Harley, stopped by to visit his sister Vicki and brother-in-law Ron on their way moving to Texas. Morris came back shortly afterwards to tie up loose ends on the sale of their home in Hayward and his retirement package from Kamatsu Forklift. Debbie then flew back to California to help Morris finish the sale of their home and to accompany him driving their last vehicle back to Texas.
The first indication that Morris was ill was in October of 2018. His brother Paul and sister-in-law Linda had flown into Dallas to visit Morris and Debbie in Aubrey and while there, Morris drove them to visit family in southwest Missouri. Morris had a sore throat and felt unwell during the trip and not long after Paul and Linda's visit, he underwent a myriad of examinations, tests and scans and was diagnosed with small cell lung cancer. It was his third diagnosis of different types of cancer and of undergoing treatments since his exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam. He underwent immunotherapy and chemotherapy, and though the treatments caused difficult side effects, he kept a positive attitude throughout and was determined to beat cancer for a third time. His devoted wife Debbie was a full and totally supportive partner through all his tests and treatments. The family believed if anyone could beat the odds, it would be Morris. Never having quit a battle, he never gave up the fight and fought to the very end. Our beloved Morris passed from this life on Tuesday, September 17, 2019 at 2:57 a.m.
[The early family information was supplied by our mother Evalina "Evelyn" (Hook) DePreste in 1999 for a family history. The information about our father purchasing a handgun for Morris to use in Vietnam was recently shared by our brother Paul, Jr. with additional important information and insights from our brother Brian and his wife Donita. And blessings on our dear sister-in-law Debbie who was a true stalwart in caring for Morris and keeping our family updated. ~ My heartfelt thanks to each and every one of them. Vicki (DePreste) Peterson.]
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morris' Obituary
U.S. Veteran
Morris Gaylord DePreste, 72, of Aubrey, TX, passed peacefully from this life into eternal life on Tuesday, September 17, 2019 in Frisco, TX. He was born April 2, 1947 in Lockwood, MO to Paul Trenton DePreste, Sr. and Evalina (Hook) DePreste. Morris married Deborah Lee Mason on December 5, 1983 in Reno, NV.
Morris graduated from Livermore High School. He served in the United States Army in Vietnam from 1967 to 1969 as a US Army Staff Sergeant and was qualified as a sharpshooter. He was awarded the Purple Heart and two Bronze stars for his service in Vietnam. Morris was also a dedicated fork lift mechanic until he retired in July 2017 and decided to move to Texas.
He loved the outdoors, fishing, camping, and hunting with his brother Paul in California. Morris was a wonderful man, friendly and respectful to everyone he met. He will be missed greatly by all who knew him.
Morris is survived by his wife, Deborah of Aubrey, TX; mother, Evalina; children, Joshua Cameron DePreste of Denver, CO, Brian Creson and wife Gina of Aubrey, TX, and Michelle Creson of Aubrey, TX; grandchild, Logan Creson of Aubrey, TX; three brothers, Paul Trenton DePreste Jr. and wife Linda of Livermore, CA, Brian DePreste and wife Donita of Springfield, MO, and James DePreste of Joplin, MO; and two sisters, Vicki Peterson and husband Ronald of Clovis, CA and Joyce De Preste of Joplin, MO. He was preceded in death by his father, Paul.
Inurnment will be 11:00AM on September 30, 2019 at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery in Dallas, TX. Online condolences may be shared at www.slaymemorialfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Phyllis Stout and Slay Memorial Funeral Center. [https://www.slaymemorialfuneralhome.com/obituary/morris-de-preste?fh_id=16052]
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