Albert Preston Dobbs, 85, passed away on March 24, 2021, at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital in Denton, Texas, from complications of dementia. Family lore holds that Preston was born on September 19, 1935, in a log cabin on Mary's Creek, in Tarrant County, Texas, to Claude Preston and Edith Miller Dobbs. Preston grew up and attended school in Aledo, Texas, leaving school in October 1954 to wed his high-school sweetheart, Helen Charlene Finley, and to go to work at the Container Corp., in Fort Worth, Texas. In 13 years of marriage, Preston and Charlene had four children: Sheri Gail, Debra Kay (Debi), James Preston (Jim), and Jerry Paul. Preston is also the father of Karen Ruth.

In late 1955, with the offer of work from his Uncle Marshall "Buck" Miller, Preston moved with his wife and baby girl to Roswell, New Mexico. Here, Preston and his Uncle Buck worked together repairing windmills on the vast cattle and sheep ranches and Indian reservations of New Mexico, often living on the ranches or reservations until all the windmills had been serviced. Preston spent any free time searching for arrowheads and had quite a nice collection. After the birth of a second daughter, Preston moved his family back to Aledo, where he worked briefly at a service station, and the family saw the addition of a baby son. A move to Midlothian provided the opportunity for Preston to work with his father-in-law at J.G. Boyd's Good Housekeeping shop. Here, Preston studied and learned air-conditioning and appliance repair, skills he carried forward through the rest of his working life. Early in 1961, a second son was born, and soon thereafter, Preston went to work for Opal and Bert Boruff's A/C Company, servicing and repairing GE window units. The Boruff family came to love Preston like a son, and they maintained a life-long relationship. The skills he honed while working for Bert and Opal gave him the experience and confidence to move to Denton, Texas, in about 1967, where he opened his own A/C and appliance repair company, D & H Services.

After his first marriage ended, Preston moved for a time to Houston, Texas, where he continued working in the HVAC and refrigeration field. It was also in Houston that Preston met and fell in love with beautiful Laura Ann McMillan (Ann), of Crockett, Texas. Preston and Ann were married on June 21, 1972. Preston and his bride settled in his hometown of Aledo for several years before relocating to Lake Dallas. Preston rejoined the Boruff family in a new endeavor, Commercial Ice Machines of Dallas. Eventually, in 1978, the couple settled on several acres of land between Krum and Sanger, northwest of Denton, and Preston opened his business, Commercial Services, in 1980, through which he leased and and maintained ice machines for restaurants and hospitality businesses. Preston gained an illuminating glimpse into the kitchen operations of many North Texas restaurants, and this perspective quickly helped refine the dining choices of his family members.

Throughout his life, Preston was an avid fisherman and outdoors-man who enjoyed camping and boating at many of Texas' parks and lakes. He was a fan of country and gospel music, accumulating a huge collection of vinyl and tapes of his favorite artists. Preston would often sing along with his music and possessed a wonderful voice, sounding remarkably like Charlie Pride. More than fishing and listening to music, however, Preston loved and cared for his elderly parents and faithfully visited aunts, uncles, and cousins for as long as they lived and as long as he was able.

Preston was preceded in death by his parents Claude and Edith, and by two sisters, Mary Arlene Dobbs, and Wanda Darlene Dobbs King.

He is survived by Ann, his wife of 48 years, of Sanger, Texas; and by five children, Sheri (Gary) Bierschwale of Lucas, Texas; Debi (Richard) Porter of Cooper and Corpus Christi, Texas; James (Ronda) Dobbs of Baker, Florida; Jerry (Regina) Dobbs of Forney, Texas; and Karen (Russell) Grubbs of Royce City , Texas. Preston is also survived by 13 grandchildren: Amber (Clint) Porter Rylant, Jason (Terra) Bierschwale, Kaysie (John) Bierschwale Crook, Stephanie Bierschwale Hunter, Cody (Lindsey) Porter, Brittany (Taylor) Nerland, Matthew (Jeana) Porter, Chameron (David) Perry, Mike (Stacy) Dobbs, Tyler (Marissa) Grubbs, Jesse Dobbs, Brittany Anna Dobbs, and Charlie Porter. Additionally, Preston and Ann have a great-niece and two great-nephews whom they love as if they were grandchildren: Jennifer Cook and her son Zane Shivers, Alex (Kim) Cook and their son Marcus, and Nick Cook. For posterity, Preston leaves 27 great-grandchildren, and three great-great grandchildren, along with a multitude of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Preston was able to express his wishes that he be cremated, and his ashes interred at Acton Cemetery, Acton, Texas, near his parents. Because of COVID-19, he wished to avoid the potential spread of the virus and requested that there be no funeral or memorial at this time.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the National Parks Conservation Association, 777 6 ^th ST NW, Suite 700 Washington, DC 20001. Alternatively, donations can be made online at npca.org.