Former Celina resident John Elwood Preston, 66, of Washington, D.C., died at 3:15 p.m. Feb. 27, 2008, at his home. Death was due to complications of cancer.

He was born Sept. 9, 1941, to Homer and Alice Boroff Preston. His mother survives in St. Marys. In 1965, he married Alexandra Learned, who survives.

Other survivors are a brother David (Anne), of France.

He served on the staff of U.S. Senator Thomas H. Kuchel of California, in the General Accounting Office and on the Presidential/Congressional Commission of Government Procurement. Later he worked for the law department of Litton Industries, Los Angeles, Calif., and became senior vice president and general counsel in 1992 before retiring in 2001. He graduated from Ohio University in 1962 and George Washington University Law School in 1965. He was active in various industry and bar associations.

Private services will be held at a later date.

Contributions can be made to The Washington National Opera or the Capital Hospice in Arlington, Va.