Obituary: Preston Lee McGirr

Preston Lee McGirr

Preston Lee McGirr

Preston Lee McGirr (aka “Mr. Wonderful”), age 69, of Chino Valley, Arizona, died May 18, 2018.

He was born on July 18, 1948, in Phoenix, Arizona, to Audrey Whiten McGirr and Orvus “Mac” McGirr. Preston grew up in Phoenix, Arizona, and graduated from South Mountain High School in 1966. He began racing pigeons when he was 13 years old and was a lifetime member of American Racing Pigeon Union.

He loved fishing, hunting, camping, country music and a small, friendly cafe for breakfast, but his greatest love was his family and his pigeons.

Preston attended one semester at Northern Arizona University before enlisting into the United States Army in February 1967. He served 13 months in Vietnam as a Sergeant with E Company, 20th Infantry, Airborne. After his military service, he devoted 30 years to US West (originally Mountain Bell) and retired in 1999.

Preston is preceded in death by his parents and sister, Jacqueline Ann McGirr.

Preston is survived by his wife of 45 years, Barbara Stephenson McGirr; son, Brian (Heather) Switzer; daughters, Keri (Brian) Sanders and Jennifer McGirr; brothers, Craig (Bobbie) McGirr, Barry (Cheryll) McGirr, and Kermit (Christel) McGirr; and grandchildren, Kelsie Sanders, Ashlyn Sanders, and Emma McGirr.

In lieu of flowers, those who wish may donate in Preston’s name to: People Who Care, PO Box 12977, Prescott, AZ 86304 or the American Racing Pigeon Union, PO Box 18465, Oklahoma

City, OK 73154.

Friends and family are welcome to pay their respects at the celebration of life on Thursday, May 24, from 4-7 p.m., at Memory Park, 1020 W. Palomino Rd, Chino Valley, Arizona, 86323.

Information provided by survivors.


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