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One of his earliest jobs was working as a soda jerk at Cero's, a popular ice cream parlor and candy store during his high school years in Wichita.
After service in the U.S. Army, Preston "Pres" D. Huston '49 returned home where he eventually built the first integrated marketing, public relations, advertising agency in the Midwest.
During World War II, Huston served in the Army’s 1st Infantry Division and became one of the youngest first sergeants at age 19. He participated in the Battle of the Bulge and was decorated with three battle stars and a Bronze Star Medal for Bravery. He was recalled to active military duty during the Korean War, and he returned home as a lieutenant.
In 1946 Huston joined the 6-month-old Associated Advertising Agency Inc., founded by Clyde Sullivan. He began as a general office boy for $50 a month.
He attended the University of Wichita and worked his way up the ranks at AAA as a media buyer, production manager and then account executive. A decade later he was appointed president, and AAA becomes the largest ad agency in Kansas, a standing the firm keeps for the next 27 years.
An active community leader and dedicated family man, Pres Huston died Aug. 23 in Wichita.
