Missing Knox Co. man John Preston found dead

KNOX CO. Tenn., (WVLT) - Knox County deputies report that John Preston, 79, missing since July 10, was found dead behind a mobile home park in northwest Knox County.

Deputies said an ATV rider found Preston on the side of a trail along Park Edge at Foote Mineral Lane at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday.

According to a report, it appears that Preston’s SUV got stuck and that he walked about 25 yards away, where his body was found.

Deputies said there were no signs of foul play and it is believed the body had been there for days.

"Even in the sadness I think there is some closure,"

Matt Nieman, Preston's pastor at Farragut Presbyterian, said.

Strangers joined the search Monday for 78-year-old John Preston who disappeared the previous Tuesday. Pretson's friends, who attended Farragut Presbyterian Church with him, said he was last seen at an ATM at First Tennessee off North Cedar Bluff Road.

"It's in times like this when the body of Christ comes together,"

Nieman said.

"John was a quiet but strong presence in the life of the congregation."

His daughter, Betsy Preston, said he withdrew $60 at the ATM. He was also supposed to go to Parkwest Medical Center for some blood work and stop by Simoniz Car Wash off Kingston Pike near Winston Road. Additionally, his cards had not been used since he disappeared.

"He has been a tremendous part of all of our lives and its hard, it's very hard for us to not have him with us,"

Betsy said.

After flying in from Virginia, Georgia and Kansas, Preston's children prayed for their father to return. The Knox County Sheriff's Office searched for Preston since Tuesday, but with no luck, his family eventually turned to the public for help.

"To not be able to just have the peace of bring him home has just been frightening, worrisome and devastating,"

Betsy said.

"We are simply asking for help to bring him home."

Preston's children put flyers on neighbors' mailboxes to spread the word of his disappearance.

Preston didn't qualify for a silver alert because friends said he did not have Alzheimer's Disease or dementia.