Funeral mass celebrating the life of Preston Smith Wise will be held Saturday, January 20, 2024, at 12:00 noon at St. Paul Catholic Church in Minden, Louisiana, with Rev. Nicholas Duncan officiating. Interment will follow at Gardens of Memory in Minden under the direction of Rose Neath Funeral Home. The family will receive friends at Rose Neath Chapel on Friday, January 19th at 4:00 PM.
Preston was born on September 4, 1991, in Shreveport, and tragically passed away on January 16, 2024, as a result of an ATV accident while hunting. He was raised in Minden, Louisiana, and graduated valedictorian of Glenbrook School in 2010. Preston also excelled in football and baseball at Glenbrook achieving MPSA All-Star in each sport. In 2015, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Engineering from Louisiana State University and was a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity at LSU.
For the past eight years, he worked as Technician and Account Manager in sales of water treatment chemicals for Athlon Solutions – Halliburton and ChemTreat. Preston’s legacy is marked by his ambition, dedication to customers, and unwavering work ethic. He shared a loving home with his fiancée, Celest Wilson, in their new residence in Hammond, Louisiana. Together, they envisioned a future filled with dreams and endless possibilities.
An avid outdoorsman, Preston found joy in fishing and hunting, and had a special bond with his duck hunting dog, Minnie. He shared his passion with Celest and others at his camp in Dulac, Louisiana. His family and many of his friends were able to share his “Blast and Cast” weekends with “Wise Waters Charters” – that he and Celest affectionally named his boat trips for speckled trout and redfish. He practiced his fish and game cooking specialties as a chef with his family and friends who were lucky enough to enjoy his delicious meals.
Preston had such a passion for making people feel special whenever he was around them. A devoted LSU fan, Preston’s excitement during football season was shown during tailgating and cheering from the stands of Tiger Stadium. Folks seated in his section always enjoyed his passionate spirit when he arrived.
His love for Celest was immeasurable, and he eagerly anticipated creating lasting memories with his future wife and family.
Preston Wise, who lit up every room, will be dearly missed, but forever remembered for the brightness he brought to others.
Preston is survived by his fiancée, Celest and their unborn son; as well as, his parents Michael and Judilyn Wise of Minden, Louisiana, sister Allison Wise and her husband Chadwick Klutts of Rogers, Arkansas, and brother Shelby and his wife Katelyn Wise of Austin, Texas, and nephew Jackson. He leaves behind cherished memories with aunts, uncles, cousins, and loved ones.
Pallbearers will be Shelby Wise, Chad Klutts, Marshall Holt, Hunter Duke, Steven Aertker, and Connor Shaw.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to charitable organizations of their choice.