Preston “Doc” M. Vasbinder, Jr.

Preston “Doc” M. Vasbinder, Jr. passed away peacefully at home April 12, 2026 surrounded by family and friends. He was born on April 21, 1940 in Austin, Texas. He graduated from McCallum High School in Austin, Texas in 1958. He attended Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State University) in San Marcos, Texas, before joining the United States Navy in November 1959. Preston completed two cruises aboard the USS Twining in the Pacific Ocean from 1960-1963 and received an Honorable Discharge.

Preston returned to Austin, Texas, and worked for the Texas Highway Department until he was hired by Western Electric in 1964. In 1967, Preston met the love of his life, Angelina (Angie) K. Kuehn, and they married in Riesel, Texas, on May 10, 1969. The couple had three sons and settled in San Antonio, Texas, before moving to Liberty, Missouri, in June of 1984 when Preston took a job with AT&T.

Preston enjoyed spending time with his wife and sons, woodworking projects and building models. He was a member of St. Stephen Lutheran Church. He loved children and he enjoyed helping Angie with her daycare from their home. All of the children (mostly from the neighborhood or from their church) called him “Papa” or “Papa Doc”. He was a loving and generous man who was larger than life and bigger than words.

He is preceded in death by his parents, sister and grandson Vincent.

Preston is survived by his wife, Angie of Liberty, MO; son Paxton and wife Gena of Kearney, MO; son Damon and wife Joan of Boone, NC; son Troy and wife Becky of Parkville, MO; granddaughter Kayla and husband Matthew of Kansas City, MO; granddaughter Victoria and husband Jarrett of Waukee, IA; grandsons Will and Jake of Parkville, MO; grandson Edward and wife Lucia of Raleigh, NC; grandson David and wife Rebecca of Sydney, Australia; great-grandson Luka and great-granddaughter Sabina of Raleigh, NC; great-grandson Atticus and great-granddaughter Scarlett of Sydney, Australia; sister Ann of Austin, TX; and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service with military honors will be held at 3:00pm Saturday, April 25, 2026, at St. Stephen Lutheran Church (205 North Forest Ave., Liberty, MO. 64068) Visitation will be held from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. prior to the memorial service to celebrate Preston’s life.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to St. Stephen Lutheran Church in Liberty, MO for the Lutheran National Youth Gathering fund.