David Preciado

David Ross Preciado set out to live a full life as soon as he reached adulthood — or, knowing David, maybe even a little before — starting with enlisting in the military at 18 and serving with honor as a Navy combat medic assigned to the Marines in Vietnam. There he was wounded in action and received the Purple Heart. David struggled with the aftermath of his service but ultimately found strength in his journey to sobriety through AA, achieving, as of this very day, 39 years of a clean and sober life.
David had a best friend in Boot Camp, and subsequently Vietnam, a fellow medic named Matthew “Hines”. Matthew gave his life in Vietnam, and David honored him by naming his son, David Matthew, after him. Interestingly, while visiting the Vietnam Veterans Memorial wall, David discovered the anniversary of Hines' passing was the same date that David achieved his sobriety, this very day, September 21.
David had a quick wit and excelled at sarcasm. He enjoyed many hobbies throughout his life, including fishing, although he only learned to appreciate eating fish in the last few years. He really enjoyed poker and black jack. And David was a huge movie and history buff. David was fond of sci-fi/fantasy films and books. He loved Disneyland (he and Shari enjoyed part of their honeymoon at Disney World), and he especially enjoyed Disney animated movies. David was a great cook, but that never stopped him from enjoying a good meal out. He and Shari have been blessed enough to enjoy US travel by planes, trains, automobiles, and RVs. While Shari was partial to road trips so she could bring her pets along. But David, being a retired truck driver eventually preferred vacations that felt a little less like work.
Back on the homefront, David “Cat Daddy“ Preciado was a tremendous animal lover, and got in quite a bit of trouble with the cat police for feeding feral cats in the neighborhood. Two siblings have adopted him by using the doggie door — two petite, pretty, and very loud Siamese.
Despite David’s own health issues, his priority was always taking care of Shari, his wife of 36 years — 36 years married, 39 years together.
Shari was David’s reason to get up every morning (or afternoon, because they often stayed up streaming together until dawn). They often fell asleep holding hands, and they said “I love you” multiple times a day.
David is predeceased by his parents, Alfred and Anna “Lou” Preciado, dear friend Lee Heath, sister Patty Witt, brother Fred Preciado, and many beautiful family and friends who flew away before him.
David leaves behind his beloved wife, Shari Lynn Preciado, brilliant son and Shari’s stepson, David Matthew Preciado (Connie Anaise), brother Richard Preciado (Kerri Levin), additional sisters-in-law Michele Gulli (Glenn Millar), both of whom David was proud to have as part of his family, and JoAnn Preciado, his late brother Fred’s wife of many years, along with many, many loving nieces, nephews, cousins and charming and loyal friends.
The world will never feel the same without you, David.