Preston Maroney

John Preston Maroney, Jr Preston Maroney, age 76, entered the gates of Heaven on August 8, 2023.

Preston was born October 20, 1946, in Aiken County, to the late J.P. Maroney and Mary Etheredge Maroney. He attended Aiken High School and received his bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of South Carolina.

After graduation he was employed by Graniteville Company holding several positions, the last being Traffic Manager/Director of Salvage and Reclamation. He later worked with transportation companies including management and sales in the south, midwest, east coast and New York. He finished his career with retirement from the Department of The Army and 40 years with the Army Reserve, retiring with the rank of Chief Warrant Officer Five. He completed a deployment during Desert Storm and a second deployment during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He often laughed that he was probably one of a few Soldiers who turned 60 years old in the middle of a deployment in a hostile fire zone. During his military service he was awarded the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal (3 OLCs), Army Commendation Medal (4 OLCs) and Army Achievement Medal (2 OLCS).

Preston joined the Pairs and Spares Sunday School Class at Trinity on the Hill Methodist Church in Augusta with Vicki in 2014 and later joined the church in 2020. He often told others that he would not have made it through without the loving cards, calls, e-mails, visits and prayers of his church family.

Preston fought a courageous battle with cancer since 2019 and never once asked “why me?” His determination and his faith were an inspiration to all who knew him and he was a true hero to his family and friends. He told everyone who asked how he was doing that God was walking right beside him every day and he would be ok.

He is survived by his beloved best friend, Vicki H. Greene, his sons, Gist Maroney (Lori) Clayton, NC, Ryan Maroney (Suzy) Zebulon, NC, Brother, Gil Maroney (Candy) Gladewater, TX, Sister, Hope Perkins Douglas, GA., Stepdaughter, Susan (Sham) Chotoo, Bowie, MD, eight grandchildren, five great grandchildren, three nieces and one nephew. His extended family, Cindy Greene Goldsmith (Walter), Charlotte, NC, Jennifer Greene, Augusta, GA., and Will Greene, Augusta, GA. and three Greene/Goldsmith grandchildren who lovingly called him “Pisto”.

A memorial service will be held August 25, 2023 at 2:00 pm at Trinity on the Hill Methodist Church, 1330 Monte Sano Ave., Augusta, GA 30904 with the Rev. Roy McVeigh officiating. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Pairs and Spares Sunday School Class and the Aiken Golf Club Thursday Golf Group. The family will receive friends at the church after the memorial service.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to a charity of your choice.

SHELLHOUSE-RIVERS FUNERAL HOME, 715 EAST PINE LOG RD., AIKEN, SC