Preston Huckeby

Overton County native and Rock Island resident, Preston Huckeby, age 83, passed away August 8, 2016, following a lingering illness due to injuries sustained in an accident in December 2014. Preston was born on April 10, 1933 to the late Roy and Stella Vaughn Huckeby. He was also preceded in death by brothers, Leonard, Lester, Tilbert, Roy Jr. and A.B. Huckeby; sister, Arleen Almonrode; and step-son, Billy Dwayne Woodlee. He is survived by his wife of 21 years, June Woodlee Huckeby; son, David (Carrie) Huckeby; and step-son, Harrison (Calisha) Woodlee of Rock Island; grandchildren, Kelci (Will) Ramsey of MS, Nelson Huckeby of Cookeville and Weston and Eastlan Woodlee of Rock Island; one great-granddaughter, Addison Ramsey of MS; two brothers, Lyman (Lou) Huckeby of Gideon, MO and Ray Huckeby of Monroe, TN; sister-in-law, Margret Huckeby of Paris, IL; several nieces and nephews; special niece, Tammie Gribble of Rock Island; and special brother-in-law, Mason Hale of Bone Cave. Preston graduated from Livingston Academy in 1952 and was a veteran of the Infantry Service from 1953-1955, as Squad Leader with the rank of Corporal. Preston was appointed to the Tennessee Highway Patrol on December 1, 1957 and promoted to Sergeant in 1965. The following year he was transferred to Tullahoma and served in that division of the THP until being appointed agent with the TBI on March 15, 1968. He was a graduate of Supervisor's School at the Tennessee Law Enforcement Academy and Crime Investigation School, the Southern Police Institute of Scientific Investigation at the University of Louisville. He also attended Police Instructor School in 1976, the ATF Explosives Seminar in 1978 and Death Investigation Seminar, as well as the Southern Institute of Internal Affairs. He held numerous offices in various law enforcement organizations, including offices in the Ben Lomand Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police. He was honored as "Officer of the Year" by both McMinnville Jaycees and the Exchange Club. Mr. Huckeby was shot and wounded in the line of duty during a gambling raid in Chattanooga in 1972. He was the only TBI agent to have an office in McMinnville and promoted to inspector in 1977 and in 1980 was named special agent-in-charge of East Tennessee, which included East and Southeast, involving 49 counties and 20 agents. Preston retired after 31 years of law enforcement. Following retirement he worked for City Bank and Trust Co. as courier and security for 10 years. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church and served on the Warren County Election Commission for 20 years, 1995-2015. Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 10, 2016 in High's Chapel with Jackie Matheny to officiate. Interment will follow in Laurel Creek Cemetery in Bone Cave with military grave rites administered by VFW Post 5064 and American Legion Post 173. Visitation will be held 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, August 9, 2016 and 10:00 a.m. Wednesday until time of service at High's. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Laurel Creek Cemetery.