Preston Marion Kappes

A society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they know they shall never sit. -Greek proverb Preston Marion Kappes went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, February 7, 2017. Preston was born in Havre, MT on July 27, 1947, to Bernard "Buzz" Kappes and Louise Alberta Kappes, nee Wilkins. His early life was spent in Fort Peck, MT where his father worked as a mechanic in support of the Army Corps of Engineers' construction of the Fort Peck Dam. In 1962, the family moved from Fort Peck to Miles City, MT where Buzz and Louise opened and operated The Melody Shop, a music store that would become a mainstay in Miles City for 35 years. Preston operated an instrument and electronics repair service from the back of the Melody Shop, work which would foreshadow his future career. After graduating from Northern Montana State in Havre, MT, Preston spent two years in oil exploration throughout Wyoming and later offshore, along the Eastern seaboard and the Gulf of Mexico. In January 1975, Preston returned to Miles City where he met and, on June 7, 1975, married Carla Lee Brandenburg, an elementary school teacher from Decorah, IA. They had two sons: Branden Bernard Kappes and Seth Charles Kappes. In December 1988, Preston closed his radio repair business, SEMCOM (Southeastern Montana Communications), and moved to West Jordan, UT, where he worked 25 years for Motorola: first as a Field Technical Representative, then as a Systems Engineer, and finally as an Engineering Manager until his retirement in 2013. After only a few months, Preston returned to work as a consultant for CC&E in Salt Lake City. Preston was actively involved as a member, Deacon and Elder at Midvalley Bible Church, and active in service to the homeless population of Salt Lake City through years of work with the Salt Lake Rescue Mission. Preston is survived by his wife of 41 years, Carla; his oldest son Branden and wife Ronel (du Plessis) Kappes, from Castle Rock, CO; his youngest son Seth, wife Jennifer (Jolley) Kappes; and their two daughters, Sadie and Avery, from West Haven, UT. Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 11, 2017, 10:00 am. at Midvalley Bible Church, 13985 South 2700 West. Viewings will be held Friday, February 10th, 6-8:00 p.m. at McDougal Funeral Home, 4330 South Redwood Road, and again prior to services Saturday at the church from 9-10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Midvalley Bible Church. In honor of Preston's tireless work, a special fund has been established to update the church sound system. Place of Birth:Havre, MontanaPlace of Death:West Jordan, Utah