Preston Bullard

1934 - 2018

Garland "Preston" Bullard of Pearland, Texas entered into eternity with Jesus Christ and claimed the promises of the resurrection on September 29, 2018. Born September 26, 1934 in Madisonville, Texas to Kirk Garland Bullard and Benetta Cline Bullard. He was the first of 7 children Jody, Margaret, Jeanie, Mary, Steve and Cindy.

Preston graduated from Dickinson High School in 1952 and attended Sam Houston State Teachers College on a football scholarship where he graduated with a Bachelor of Education in 1956. He played multiple sports at Sam Houston and was signed by George Halas to play for the Chicago Bears football team. Preston made the decision to forego playing for the Bears and decided to sign a contract to coach football for about 1/3 of the salary he would have made playing professionally. He went on to obtain his Master of Education from the University of Houston in 1966. Preston served a total of 36 years in public education beginning his career in Dickinson ISD where he was a teacher, coach and assistant principal of Dickinson High School. He joined Pearland ISD in 1970 as the principal of Pearland High School and then Assistant/Acting Superintendent responsible for Curriculum and Instruction and Human Resources. He was soon asked to lead the district as Superintendent of Pearland ISD, a post he held from 1977 until his retirement in 1992.

Preston served as President of the Pearland ISD School Board, was on the board of the Pearland ISD Education Foundation and the Brazoria County Appraisal District. He was also very involved in the Pearland business community serving as one of the founding directors of Westside Bank (now Frost). Preston was inducted into the Dickinson High School Athletics Hall of Honor in football and was recognized as a Distinguished Alumnus of Dickinson High School in 2011.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his first wife Jo Ann, and son Bruce. He is survived by Marilyn, his loving wife of 40 years, daughter Julie (Pat), sons Peter (Suzanne) and Brad (Alexis); 6 grandchildren, Derrick, Amy (Shelby), Kennedy, Lindsey, Brooke and Nolan; Preston will be missed by many friends and extended family members.

Visitation will be from 5:00pm to 7:00pm Friday, October 12, 2018, at St. Helen Catholic Church, 2209 Old Alvin Rd, Pearland, TX 77581 with a rosary being prayed at 7:00pm. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00am Saturday, October 13, 2018, at St. Helen Catholic Church, 2209 Old Alvin Rd, Pearland, TX 77581

In lieu of flowers, tribute donations can be made to the Pearland ISD Education Foundation, 1928 North Main, Pearland, TX 77581