Preston F. Driggers

Dr. Preston Franklin Driggers passed away on June 7, 2026, after a short illness, surrounded by his loving family. He was 86 years old.

Born on April 20, 1940, in the Chicago area, Preston was the oldest of three children born to Elizabeth and Daron Driggers. He was raised working in his family's plastics business, where he developed the strong work ethic and practical values that would guide him throughout his life.

After graduating from high school, Preston served his country in the United States Army. Following his military service, he earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Illinois, master's degrees from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the University of Arizona, and a Ph.D. in Sociology from Colorado State University.

Preston devoted much of his professional life to education. He taught sociology at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, NM before continuing his academic career at Regis University in Denver and Red Rocks Community College.

In 1982, Preston and his family moved to the newly developing Heritage Dells neighborhood in Golden, Colorado, where he became deeply involved in the community he loved. Preston was a passionate advocate for the responsible growth and preservation of Golden's natural beauty. He became a member of Calvary Episcopal Church where he played a key role in the creation of the church's columbarium. During the 1980s, he became active with the Citizens Action Team.

Preston was unafraid of controversy and quick to recognize and expose false positions, with a unique ability to see all facets of an issue. When rapid development threatened much of the area's open land, he worked tirelessly to secure and protect numerous acres of open space around Golden. When two large companies wanted to build a shoe plant on the top of North Table Mountain, he spent hours with Save the Mesas to ensure this did not occur. His tireless work continued which contributed to the protection of several open space areas, most recently the area known as Bachman Park. Preston was also the driving force behind the elk statues on Heritage Road. Over the years, he served and volunteered with Jefferson County Open Space, the Golden Urban Renewal Authority (GURA), Save the Mesa and many other organizations.

Preston never said “no” to any reasonable request, no matter the investment of his time required. He was a founding member of Stewards of Golden Open Space and was tireless in his research, advocacy and guidance in support of Golden’s action to adopt a formal Open Space Master Plan. In recognition of his decades of service to the community, Preston received the Mayor's Award for Excellence in 2013.

Preston's commitment to service also extended to libraries and volunteerism. In 2002, he co-authored Managing Library Volunteers, a respected resource for library professionals. A second edition was published in 2011.

Beyond his professional and civic achievements, Preston found joy in many lifelong interests. He loved trains, birds, flowers, local history, and the natural world. He was an active member of the Denver Post Card Club and enjoyed researching and writing about the history of Golden. His curiosity, knowledge, and enthusiasm enriched the lives of those around him.

Preston was preceded in death by his parents, his beloved sister, MaryBeth, and his cherished Auntie Bonnie, whose love and influence remained with him throughout his life. Preston is survived by his wife of nearly 58 years, Linda; his two daughters, Nicolette and Stacie (Matt); his beloved grandchildren Cora and Bobby; his brother, George (Linda); as well as numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

A celebration of Preston's life will be held on August 8, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Calvary Episcopal Church 1320 Arapahoe St, Golden, CO 80401 . In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Preston's memory to Stewards of Golden Open Space or the Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden.

Preston's legacy lives on in the open spaces he helped preserve, the students he inspired, the community he strengthened, and the family he loved so dearly.