Horace Preston Wildes

September 24, 1941 – August 26, 2026

Horace Preston Wildes, known to most simply as Preston or Peck went home to be with his Lord on August 26, 2026, just one month before his 85th birthday.

Preston was a humble, loving, hardworking, God-fearing man who lived his life with quiet strength, a good sense of humor, and a heart that had room for far more people than he probably ever realized.

Born September 24, 1941, in Blackshear, Georgia, Preston was a young man that might not have been the best student, but he certainly knew how to make his mark. During his high school years, he played football and basketball, ran track, managed the baseball team, sang in the Glee Club, and was part of a quartet. He also became Camden County's first male cheerleader (and was Captain) —a distinction that took a special kind of confidence and personality. He later held the honor of being named Mr. CCHS.

Preston was a handsome fellow, a bit of a crooner, and never missed an opportunity to get on the dance floor. There always seemed to be someone ready to dance with Preston, and he never seemed to mind. He was friends with everyone: the most popular guys, the best athletes, the richest, the poorest, the kids in his class, or the underclassman that had no friends, Preston was a friend to everyone.

A Lifetime of Hard Work

Preston spent nearly 45 years working at what began as American Can, later becoming James River, Fort James, and eventually Georgia-Pacific. He worked as a shift supervisor and took great pride in his work and in the people he worked with.

Over the years, his family would often run into people who had worked with him, and the stories were remarkably consistent: they enjoyed working with Preston. He was good to people. He was someone's favorite supervisor. He was respected. And they always had something good to say about him.

That was Preston. He didn't have to make a big show of being a good man. He simply was one.

A Man of Faith

God was always present in the Wildes home, and faith was a way of life for Preston and his family.

During a season of their lives, Preston served as a deacon at Westside Baptist Church while his wife, Glenda, served as church treasurer. Together, they also served on the Youth Council Committee and worked with the youth group. Preston even helped lead several music performances with the youth choir.

But perhaps one of the greatest gifts Preston gave his family was the gift of his prayers.

Whether he was saying grace around the family dinner table or offering a closing prayer after a sermon, Preston's prayers were never simply words that needed to be said. They were heartfelt conversations between him and God. Those who heard him pray knew that his faith was real and deeply personal.

A Quiet Servant

Preston was not necessarily the man who went looking for people to help. He didn't have to. One by one, God seemed to put people in his path.

There were times he pulled people out of the river, times he shared whatever food was on his table, and countless times he was simply present for a needed moment.

Preston probably never knew how important he had been in someone's life.

He would become a father figure to some, a mentor to others, a trusted uncle, a friend, and eventually a fill-in Papa. He had a way of making people feel that they belonged.

He was the fun and popular uncle—the one you could talk to about anything, the one you could share your secrets with, but also the one you respected enough to know that he would straighten you out when you needed it.

And Then Came the Grandchildren

If there was ever a title Preston was especially proud of, it was Papa.

His first grandchild being born may have been his happiest day, and each grandchild who followed made him feel like the richest man in the world. Those little ones were his treasures. And Papa didn't just love his grandchildren. He knew how to make being a grandchild at Papa's house an adventure.

There was Papa's Taxi, where he drove to dance practice, football practice, gymnastics, school, friends’ houses or wherever else those grandchildren needed to be. Grandchildren could place their snack orders the day before, and when they got off the bus, their individual orders would be waiting. The freezer was always stocked with ice cream and frozen popsicles in quantities limited only by how many a child could eat.

And then there was the backyard.

It was the stuff of childhood dreams: two treehouses, two trampolines, a zip line, a tightrope, a rope swing, a tire swing, a basketball goal, a sand pile, a swing set, a granny swing, a play kitchen area, and a golf cart to ride around in.

And, of course, there was the fire pit.

The Pyromania Years

Every life has seasons, and one of Preston's most memorable seasons was what the family lovingly remembers as his fire burning season.

If it would burn, Preston was probably interested in burning it. Building a fire brought him so much joy. Many low-country boils, Georgia games, family gatherings, and visits with friends took place around a roaring fire provided by Preston Wildes.

That fire pit became more than just a place to burn things. It became a gathering place—a place to roast hot dogs and marshmallows, tell stories, laugh, sit quietly, and sometimes solve the problems of the world.

A Friend to Many

In his later years, Preston became a familiar sight around the local community. He was the older gentleman riding around on his golf cart or driving his van, checking on the river, visiting neighbors, and making new friends.

He had his routines, and if you became part of one of those routines, you were blessed.

He kept old friendships and made new ones.

One of his dearest friendships began when they were nursing in the same room. That friendship lasted more than 84 years—a blessing that very few people are fortunate enough to experience.

There were other friendships that lasted 70 years, 60 years, and many decades in between. Some of those friends remained in contact with Preston right up until his final days.

One of the greatest gifts his family has received is hearing those friends tell stories about the times they shared with him.

Those stories are part of his legacy.

Husband and Father

Preston was married to Glenda Gail Wildes of Alma, Georgia, for 57 years.

Together, they were a great team. Their family was never limited simply to the people connected by blood. God continually brought other people into their lives, and Preston and Glenda made room for them.

Candy and Jim were the biological children, but there would be many more "adopted" along the way—some who came into their lives as children, some as grandchildren, and all receiving love, support, and memories. Preston loved his children deeply.

Because he worked shift work for so many years, he wasn't always able to be there for every moment while Candy and Jim were growing up. But as they grew older, especially from high school onward, the family made up for lost time.

Even in his later years, there were boat rides, family gatherings, adventures, conversations, laughter, and countless memories.

His Greatest Legacy

Preston Wildes was a good son, brother, husband, dad, uncle, cousin, friend, neighbor, Papa, and servant of God.

He was the kind of man who may never have realized how many lives he touched.

He didn't seek recognition.

He simply lived.

He worked hard. He loved his family. He served his God. He helped people when they needed him. He welcomed people into his life. He made people laugh. He prayed. He sang. He danced. He drove his golf cart. He checked on the river. He built a backyard full of childhood memories. He kept a fire burning. And he loved his grandchildren with everything he had.

He was grateful for his family, his friends, his neighbors, and the many people God placed in his path, that mattered more than he could ever know.

Preston Wildes leaves behind his daughter, Candy Wildes Dugan; son, Jim "Jimbo" Wildes and his wife, Niccole; grandchildren, Alex Dugan, Mackenzie Dugan, Austin Wildes and Juliana, Addy Wildes, and Allie Wildes; and many other grandchildren whom he loved and proudly claimed as his own.

He is also survived by his sisters, Brenda Herring and Anne Monk, along with extended family and countless friends who will forever consider themselves blessed to have known him.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 57 years, Glenda Gail Wildes, his parents, James Clarence and Elvira Wildes, and his siblings, J.C. "Jake" Wildes, Jackie Neel, and Sandra "Sandy" Clark.

The family would like to thank everyone who has been part of Preston's life through the years—the friends who stayed for decades, the neighbors who became family, the people he worked with, the people he mentored, and all those who shared a story, a meal, a boat ride, a dance, a prayer, or a seat around his fire.

Thank you for loving him.

Thank you for letting him love you.

And thank you for the memories.

Rest well, Dad.

You were a good man.

You were a good husband.

You were a good father.

You were a good friend.

You were a wonderful Papa.

And you were, without a doubt, one of a kind.

We will see you again.

Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday September 2, 2026 at the Crooked River State Park shelter #2. Visitation for family and friends will be held from 4:00-6:00 pm with service starting at 6:00 pm. 

Allison Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.