Preston Reed Olvera
Preston Reed Olvera, 20, passed away Thursday, December 17, in his home in Meade.  His life was filled to the brim with family, friends, laughter, adventure, and love.
His maternal grandmother, June Stoll (aka “Granny”), described Preston as “an itty bitty teddy bear in a big ol’ man’s body.”  His kindness and sensitivity touched many lives.  In fact, one Sunday in church, a woman was having a hard time suppressing her emotions.  She had recently lost her husband.  Finally, she decided to leave the service.  Outside, Preston was waiting for her, having noticed her sadness during the service.  He held her and stood with her for a long while, as she grieved. 
To his mother, Michelle, Preston revealed his purpose in life: To make other people laugh and smile. And he did.  “If you needed help with anything, he’d stop whatever he was doing right then and help,” Weston Vanderpool said.  “If you needed a TV, just tell Preston,” says Michelle. “He’d give you one of mine.  I lost three TVs that way, but hey, as long as everybody was able to play Halo….”
Preston was born July 7, 1989 in Meade, where he resided throughout his life.  He graduated from Fowler High School in 2008.  He excelled at solving technological challenges, from networking computer systems for fun to ensuring that Liberal’s The Rocket 1470 continuously broadcast, as Operations Manager at the station.
He loved hosting his many, many friends, while they played video games and ate from The Snack Cabinet.  A “band of brothers” sign donned Preston’s backyard, but really speaks for the life he lived.  “No one who really knew Preston did not like him,” Payton Rickers said. “He was the best friend anyone could ever ask for, EVER.”  Said Juan Limon.
Preston joins his maternal aunt Shannon Weaver and several great grandparents in lasting peace. He is survived by his mother, Michelle Stoll (Meade); father and step-mother, Lorenzo and Dawn Olvera; brother and sister, Morgan and Bailey Olvera, (Meade); maternal grandparents, Ron & June Stoll (Meade); paternal grandparents, Maria Perfecta Yebra (San Juan, Del Rio, Mexico) and Norberto Olvera (Llano Largo, Hidalgo, Mexico); and paternal great-grandfather Ramone Olvera, (Llano Largo, Hidalgo, Mexico).
The memorial service will be January 4, 2010 at 7 pm at Meade High School.
A Memorial Fund has been established at the Meade State Bank with the proceeds being donated to a charitable fund.