Preston Stephen Hairgrove

Preston Stephen Hairgrove entered his heavenly home on October 31, 2023 at the age of 87.  He left this world with his devoted wife and family by his side.

Preston was born on June 3, 1936 in Tenaha, Texas to Richard Hubbard and Bessie Wilson Hairgrove.  He was the tenth of thirteen children.  His early years were spent in East Texas in the Chireno area.  In 1942, the family moved to Pasadena, Texas.  Preston graduated from Pasadena High School where he was part of their winning football program.  He then attended Stephen F. Austin University and was Vice President of his senior class.

On May 30, 1969, Preston married the love of his life, Elaine Beard Podell.  They remained in the Pasadena area until 2000, when they both retired and moved to Thornton, Texas.

During his lifetime, Preston worked as a pipefitter then taught at Pasadena High School while coaching basketball and football.  He later owned and operated Pres Tech Company in Pasadena. 

Mr. Hairgrove served eight years on the Pasadena City Council.  Throughout his life, he remained active in local, state, and national politics.

At an early age, Preston accepted Christ as his Savior.  At the time of death, he was an active member of Central Baptist Church in Thornton where he had served as a deacon and Sunday School Director.  He was also a member of Thornton Masonic Lodge #486 and had been a Master Mason for over fifty years.

His most cherished accomplishment was his family.  He deeply loved his children and grandchildren and was most proud they all are Christians serving the Lord.

Preston was preceded in death by his parents; in-laws, Jack and Estelle (Aman) Beard; seven sisters, Cynthia Ann Hairgrove, Bessie Hairgrove, Armenda Brymer, Peggy Hensel, Martha Pye, Charlotte Schoellman and Deloris Johnson; four brothers, Frank, Joel, Nelson, and Alfred Hairgrove.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Elaine Beard Hairgrove; sons, Douglas Podell of Thornton, Stephen and wife, Melissa Hairgrove of Pasadena; daughter, Rebecca Waldrop of Austin; grandchildren, Lane, Emily and Molly Hairgrove of Pasadena and Preston and Ellie Waldrop of Austin; sister, Dixie and husband, Wesley Sanders of Kentucky; numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family.

Visitation will be Friday, November 3, 2023, from 5-7 p.m. at Blair-Stubbs Funeral Home in Thornton.

Services will be held at Central Baptist Church in Thornton on Saturday, November 4, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. with Reverend Tracy Sims officiating.  Burial will follow in the Thornton Cemetery.  Pallbearers will be Lane Hargrove, Preston Waldrop, Preston Hairgrove, John Moore, Terry Pye, and Joe Pye.  Honorary pallbearers will be Edward Vest, Randy Franklin, Willie Neal, Cotton Yates, Ronnie Driskell, Gene Chamblin, David Sadler, Bill Neucon, Andy Wells, and Rand Bates.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Central Baptist Church Thornton High School Scholarship Fund, P. O. Box 34, Thornton, TX 76687 or Thornton Masonic Lodge #486 Scholarship Fund, P. O. Box 373, Thornton, TX 76687.

Preston was loved by many and will be greatly missed.