Preston Thomas Harbin

Preston Thomas Harbin, “Tom”, was born March 22, 1929, in Washington DC. He parted this life on his 89th birthday, March 22, 2018 in Prince Frederick, MD after a very short illness. Tom was one of six children born to Wilmer and Virginia Harbin of Suitland MD. He is survived by his sister, Doris Rayle. Tom has four children, Preston Thomas Harbin Jr, Deborah Harbin Jones, Joanne Harbin Laserna and Bryan Patrick Harbin. He is also survived by seven grandchildren, one predeceased granddaughter, plus 12 great grandchildren, all of whom called him “Pop”. Tom’s partner, Sheila Stout, of 32 years resides in their home in North Beach, MD and winter months in Estero, FL. Tom served in the US Navy at the end of WW II then became a painting contractor in Northern VA. He loved the water, his boats, fishing, crabbing and cruising the bay. Sheila and Tom’s home on the Chesapeake Bay was always the grand children’s favorite place to visit. He loved sitting at the table in their home looking out over the water, enjoying every bird possible and predicting storms as they rolled over the bay. He was an avid gardener of his manicured lawn and enjoyed displaying bird feeders in every corner. Also, he cherished his flag pole, with Old Glory and the Maryland flags hung high. Being the painter he was, the pole was painted yearly and a flower garden grew around it. His private go to place was their detached garage where he tinkered at his work bench and chatted with neighbors. In the winter months he and Sheila retreated happily to Florida, which he loved. And yes, he manicured the lawn there as well! In Florida he enjoyed the outdoors, beaches, sightseeing, their community events and new friends. The past two years of his life were most challenging for Tom after a car accident and he never fully regained his strength or energy. Tom resided in Charlotte Hall Veteran’s Home since October, 2016 and was becoming a master of his electric wheel chair. He was a quiet man and loved his family dearly. He will be missed by all of us. A service in his memory will be at Lee Funeral Home Calvert, 8200 Jennifer Lane, Owings, MD 20736 on Thursday, April 5, 2018 from 11:00 a.m. until start of service at 12:00 noon. He will be interred after the service at Cheltenham Veterans Cemetery, 11301 Crain Hwy, Cheltenham, MD. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Stallings-Williams Post 206 American Legion, P.O. Box 428, Chesapeake Beach, MD 20732 If I should go tomorrow It would never be goodbye, For I have left my heart with you, So don't you ever cry. The love that's deep within me, Shall reach you from the stars, You'll feel it from the heavens, And it will heal the scars. ~ Anonymous ~ To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Preston Thomas Harbin please visit our Sympathy Store.