Preston Doran Struve, 94, passed away February 8, 2016 in St. George, Utah from natural causes. Preston was born April 17, 1921 in Preston, Idaho to William Struve and Minnie Oscar Struve. He was the youngest child of eleven.
As a boy, Preston spent his leisure time, when he wasn\t helping his mother, riding his bicycle and playing marbles. He was an outstanding athlete at Preston High School where he was captain of the football team and a Golden Gloves Champion boxer. His athletic skills served him well in his later years. He loved to hunt and fish and was an avid golfer. He was a Member of the Salt Lake Country Club and Bloomington Country Club in St. George.
Preston Married Klea Telford December 9, 1939. Together they had four children.
Preston was a hard worker. He moved his young bride to Salt Lake City and worked with Farmers Brothers Coffee for five years. He then went back to Preston to open up Paul\s Cafe with his brother in-law. His love for sales took over and he moved his young family to Spokane, Washington, where he went to work with Boyd's Coffee Company.
He started his real career in the Coin-op Amusement Business with the R.F. Jones Company in Seattle, but soon his entrepreneurial desires took over and he moved his family back to Salt Lake City to open his own distribution business in1962. Struve Distributing Company was always a leader in the coin operated amusement and juke box industry due to his hard work, gifted personality, and superior selling skills. He was a pioneer in that industry for over 50 years.
Preston and Klea spent many years at their cabin in Thousand Peak Ranch in the Uinta Mts and their ranch in Oakley, Utah, where their children and grandchildren spent many happy times over the years snowmobiling, horseback riding, family parties and especially the Oakley Rodeo. Preston was an outstanding horseman and spent many years riding and caring for his special Tennessee Walking horses.
Preston is survived by his children, Pamela Larsen (Kent), son Courtney (Susan), Barbara Anderson (Gary), Deborah Cavender (Steve), nine grandchildren and twenty-two great grandchildren.
The family would like to thank Helen McClean for her love, companionship, and the tender care of their father.
A family tribute will be held Friday, February 19, 2016, at 2:00 PM at Larkin Mortuary. Entombment will be at Larkin Sunset Lawn.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Cancer Research.
