Preston S. McMillan

Preston Stephens McMillan, age 67, of Grantsboro and Durham, NC, passed away peacefully in his home on March 24, 2026, while listening to soft jazz and sitting in the company of his family.

Preston is survived by his loving wife of 40 years, Barbara Peunic McMillan, daughter Mary Alice (Briana), brothers Justin (JoAnn), Lawrence (Jane), and Charles (Amber), sister-in-law Cathy Quinn (Patrick), his loyal dog Abby, and countless nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents Justin Stephens McMillan and Laurie Welch McMillan, and dogs he adored and who adored him back, Brick, Maggie, Paver, Chip, and Fulton.

Preston was born on September 28, 1958, in Allendale, SC, the third in a set of four brothers who, together, were known around Allendale for their good-hearted mischief. It was Allendale and his parents’ farm that set Preston on his lifelong course of hard work and dedication to his friends, family, and career. He attended Clemson University where he was introduced to three great loves of his life: Clemson Tigers football, ceramics engineering, and Barbara Peunic, a fellow Tiger who would become his wife. Preston graduated in 1982, well educated in all three of those loves and with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering.

Upon graduation, Preston started his career at Pine Hall Brick in Madison, North Carolina. Throughout his time at Pine Hall Brick, Preston held numerous plant operation positions, including managing the manufacturing of face bricks and paver bricks. When he retired in 2018, he was the Vice President of Technical Services.

In 1993, Preston met another great love of his life, his daughter Mary Alice, and as soon as she could manage it, the two danced and sang and laughed together as long and as often as they could. Preston and Barbara spent innumerable weekends chasing Mary Alice around the state at dance competitions, choral concerts, and swim meets. Preston was a cheerful and affectionate fan and critic.

Any chronicle of Preston’s great loves is incomplete if it doesn’t include winding rivers and kayaks, salt water and boats, a fishing line and a crab trap, a diverse and plentiful garden, coffee in the pot, and loud music playing over good speakers.

Preston’s life was lived well, full of fun, laughter, and good soil for growing. He leaves behind family and friends who strive to live like he did, and who wish him well on his next adventure, even if they also wish he were still with them in this one.

Preston’s family wishes to thank the dedicated caregivers who helped him accept some much-needed rest: Dr. Carrie Mayo with Just for Us (Duke Health), dedicated caretakers Felicia, Sabrina, Genine, Paula, Timber, and Racquel (Wisdom Senior Care), and the brilliant nurses from Duke Hospice.

A celebration of Preston’s life will be held at 12:00 pm, Tuesday, March 31st, at Elizabeth Street UMC in Durham, NC (1209 N. Elizabeth St.). A reception, including a light lunch, will follow in the fellowship hall.

If you would like to remember Preston with a contribution, memorials can be made to the Emma & Bruce Willis Fund for frontotemporal dementia research, Elizabeth Street UMC, and the Dan Riverkeeper.