Keenan W. Preston, 70, ran his marathon of life and peacefully departed this earth on Sunday, April 14, 2024, surrounded by his loving wife of 53 years, Dorothy M. Preston (Gilbert), his daughters and grandchildren. Born May 5, 1953, in York, PA, he was the son of the late Viola J.A. Preston and Robert A. Preston.
Keenan, Coach Preston or KP, as he is affectionately known, was a graduate of William Penn Senior High School, Class of 1971. He received multiple Division I scholarship offers for his academic and basketball excellence. He accepted the Penn State Men’s basketball team’s offer to play on a full scholarship. He played basketball all four years and graduated with a degree in English and Humanities. After graduation, he was then recruited as a company buyer for J. C. Penney department store. He later went on to work for the York Housing Authority as a housing inspector.
While working for the county, he also started coaching part-time as the Junior Varsity Basketball Coach at York High. When a teaching position became available, he took the opportunity and taught full-time at Edgar Fahs Middle School. He later taught English at William Penn Senior High. After a few years of coaching the junior varsity team, he then became the Varsity Basketball Coach of his alma mater, York High. As the head basketball coach, he won numerous York County championships, and a District III championship. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame at York High, but his greatest rewards were not just on the basketball court, but in the classroom, where he mentored, guided, and taught hundreds of students English and “life lessons” for over 20 years. He mentored students in school programs like MOEST, Dollars for Scholars, and Project Harmony to name a few. Also, one of his greatest loves was helping the high school senior students plan the York High Prom for many years as their advisor. Coach Preston also served as the Head Soccer Coach for a short stint during his York High years.
He enjoyed following and watching his favorite teams the Pittsburgh Steelers and Los Angeles Lakers. Some of his favorite pastimes were fishing, attending the horse races, playing cards with his family, and completing home improvement projects. Coach Preston accepted Christ and loved the Lord. He was a former member of both St. Paul Baptist Church of Columbia, Pa and Bethlehem Baptist Church of York, Pa. In recent years and when his health allowed, he enjoyed attending services at Bethel Commandment Church of York, PA.
He leaves to cherish his memory, daughters, Vina Milligan and Kisha Pinkney, husband, Bishop Anthony E. Pinkney. His grandchildren, Capris and Alex Cora, Chanel Milligan and Thomas Kennedy, Anthony, Byron and Davon Pinkney. His pride and joy were his great-grandchildren, Laila and Aria Cora and Avery and Makenna Pinkney.
He is also survived by eight brothers, Thomas Preston (Mary) of Fayetteville, NC, Charles Preston, Robin and Glenn Matthews, Keith and Calvin Elliot, Wayne Scott and Trevor Smith, all of York; three sisters, Vinita Hayes (Chuck), Mae Preston of York, Pa, and Star Gilliam of Baltimore, Md; and also a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by three brothers and one sister and a great-grandson, Barry Preston, Adam Elliott, Robert Preston Jr., Roberta Preston and Brycen Cora.
In addition, Keenan leaves to cherish his memory, a host of “Life-Long” friends and neighbors who became family. He cherished the legacy of the teams that he played on over the years, York High’s 1971 basketball team, “The Fab Five” and PSU’s basketball team of 1975 “The Fellas”. He always enjoyed his yearly reunions with “The Fellas” and they have remained friends for over 30 years.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 27, 2024 from 1:00 pm-3:00 pm at William Penn Senior High School Auditorium, 101 W. College Ave. York, 17404. Bishop Anthony Pinkney of Bethel Commandment Church, York, Pa will officiate the service. Gladfelter Mortuary, Inc., York, has overseen the private arrangements. The burial is at the privacy of the family. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution to Coach Preston’s scholarship fund which will be announced at a later date.