Homer Richard Strong

Notes:

Homer was born in a Leap Year's day, February 29, 1908. He used March 1 as his "official" birthday, however, so he could celebrate it each year instead of only once every four years.

He was eight when his mother died, and twelve when his father remarried. Neither Homer nor Barney were pleased with their new step-mother, Stella Crouch. They left home around 1925, and went to Portales, New Mexico, to live with their Uncle Rolla Strong. They grew enough beans and maize to feed the horses, and lived on Rolla's $17 a month pension from the Navy. They also spent sometime with their grandfather, Ralph, at his Ranch in nearby Pep.

In 1927, Homer moved back to Duncan, Oklahoma to be closer to his parents. He worked for a cotton gin. In 1929, he went to live with his Uncle Alois Soukup in Prague, Oklahoma. His Uncle died in an explosion while trying to rechannel a creek. Homer and a friend were in the creek setting the dynamite, while Alois on the bank putting in the fuses. Homer lost the hearing in one ear as a result of this explosion. After his Uncles death, he returned to Duncan. This is where he met his wife, Anna Laura at a dance. At the time of the 1930 census, he was a boarder with the Elmer Michels family in Duncan.

1930 census
Stephens Co. OK King Twp., Duncan city ED 69-28
Sheet 3A & 3B
1210 Spruce
69/70 Michels, Elmer A. and family
Strong, Homer R., boarder, MW 21 S OK US US

At the time, Homer was painting signs for Fuzzy Carter, at his sign company. Bill and Charles Strong both caddied for Fuzzy years later, when they were teenagers. Fuzzy had a sing up during WWII that said, in one continuous statement, "Quityourdamnbellyachingandbuymorewarbonds." This sign was on the side of the Palace Theatre. In 1936, Homer went to work for Coca Cola for $15 a week, painting signs. It was during the depression and work was scare. Roonie recounts that one day they simply ran out of food. Their eldest son was just an infant. Roonie said all they had in the house was one heal end of a loaf of bread. She borrowed a spoonful of syrup from their neighbor, and put that on the bread for Charles. She and Homer did without that day. Although there were many other days that food and money were very sparse, that was the only day they did totally without.

Homer was drafted in 1943, and helped train men at Fort Sill. He was discharged as a Sergeant First Class on March 15, 1949, and forever after was known by his nickname "Sarg." He was a Radio Repairman (Instructor) 8648, and eventually was in charge of the radio repair school at Fort Sill. Charles Strong notes that Homer's being drafted was what brought the family out of poverty and put them on the road to economic stability.

Homer went back to Coca Cola after the war, and then to Halliburton. He worked for Halliburton from 1951 to 1972. He was a sign painter and worked in their carpentery shop.

His military records show that he completed 8 years of Grammer School, but did not attend High School. His wife Roonie recounted that Homer was always a bit defensive about his lack of a formal education. He worked hard later in his life to make up for this. He read extensively, and took continuing education courses in subjects such as Spanish. He loved music, and had a wide collection of tapes, ranging from country and western to Spanish Flamenco to opera. Although he had no training in music, he would write out the scores of his favorite songs by listening to them over and over again, recreating them on his keyboard, and then writing them out. He also loved to do the daily crossword puzzle, in pen. After they retired, he and Roonie were able to travel to Europe, where they stayed where they visited their son Bill, who was stationed in Germany.

Homer's obituary in the Duncan, Oklahoma newspaper read as follows:

H.R. "Sarg" Strong, 82, 1806 Birch, died Wednesday, September 19, 1990, in a Duncan hospital. A Rosary will be at 7:30 pm Friday in the Don Grantham Funeral Home Chapel. Service will be at 10 am Saturday in Assumption Catholic Church with Father Paul Gillespie officiating. Burial will be in Duncan cemetery.

Mr. Strong was born March 1, 1908 in Lawton. He was retired from Halliburton Services, and a U.S. Army veteran, serving from 1943 to 1948. He was a member of Assumption Catholic Church. On October 23, 1931 (sic), he married Anna L. Payne in Waurika.

Survivors include his wife of the home; five sons, Charles Strong of Edinburg, Texas, Bill Strong of Yukon, John Strong of Duncan, Tom Strong of Phoenix, Arizona and Paul David Strong of Santa Barbara, California; two daughters, Caroline Brasher of Duncan and Theresa Rutledge of Austin; four brothers Barnie Strong of Gainesville, Texas and Bob Strong, Cecil Lewis and Jack Strong, all of Lawton; a sister Viola Weaver of Gainesville; 23 grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. (Note: at the time, Homer actually had 22 grandchildren and nine great granchildren). Bearers will be grandsons.

Don Grantham Funeral Homes, Duncan, Oklahoma.

(Medical):AB Blood type

Homer married Anna Laura Payne on 23 Feb 1932 in Waurika, Jefferson County, Oklahoma. Anna (daughter of Thomas Hamilton Payne, II and Bessie Bird Gentry) was born on 23 Oct 1913 in Arthur, Parks Township, Stephens County, Oklahoma; was christened on 23 Dec 1922 in Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church, Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma; died on 15 Sep 2004 in Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma; was buried on 18 Sep 2004 in Duncan Municipal Cemetery, Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Charles was born in the midst of the Depression, and vividly remembers the financial struggle faced by his impoverished parents. In the summers, Charles was usually sent to stay on the farm owned by his great-grandparents, James and Zada Gentry. Charles remembers Zada as a tiny woman, and a good cook. She often remarked, after he devoured her meals, "Charles, you must be hollow to your toes."

Charles eventually rebelled against his father's stringent demands. In a bid for independence, he dropped out of school for in the eighth grade, staying out late most nights or not coming home for days at a time.

His parents sent him to Oklahoma City, to live with his Aunts Fay and Lois, who shared a home. His grandmother, Bessie Payne, lived there with her daughters as well. Charles slept in a cot in the back room. He remembers his grandmother having a Chocolate Hostess Cupcake waiting for him each day when he returned from school. Charles graduated from the 8th grade at Holy Angels Parochical School in Oklahoma City on May 25, 1947. After his graduation, he enrolled in the Oklahoma National Guard. He added two years to his age so he would be eligible to enlist. He was 5'8" and 138 pounds, and told the unit he was age 17, not 15. After seven months of duty, on June 4, 1948, he was honorably discharged as a Private. The reason for his discharge was listed as "Business Interference"

Charles returned home to Duncan to attend High School. He later dropped out of High School as well, and went to work at a bakery. He developed a lifelong aversion to most baked goods, remembering the overwhelming smell. Charles finally realized that education, was the best way to escape poverty, so he returned to school. He graduated from Duncan High School in May, 1952, along with his younger brother Bill.

Charles and Bill both enrolled at Oklahoma A&M (now OSU) in Stillwater. Charles borrowed money from his Aunt Lois to pay for his freshman year, and then was drafted into the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict. He received a medical discharge due to a chronic skin condition which made it impossible for him to wear combat boots. After his brief military service, he returned to OSU and used the GI bill to pay for the remainder of his education. He was original a Chemistry major, but changed to business and accounting due to these same skin allergies.

A Feb. 7, 1956 article in the student paper reported that "Charles Strong, arts and sciences junior from Duncan, was named president of the Newman club Sunday evening during the election of the 1956 officers. Strong, a chemistry major, replaces Stan Prochaska, agriculture journalism senior from Enid, as proxy of the organization of Catholic students. He had been vice president and one time co-chairman of the membership committee. Ed Wakeen, OIT student from Massachusetts was elected vice president...(also from Massachusetts) Joe Hayden was elected treasurer...Beverly Kirchmeyer from Ponca City was elected secretary. Continuing as chaplin.....will be Rev. Joseph Dillon, assistant pastor of the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Stillwater."

Being president allowed Charles to live in the Newman club, further helping him with financing his education. It was also through the Newman club that Charles met his wife, Pat, a fellow student at OSU.

Charles received his B.S. degree in May, 1959 with a major in accounting and minor in economics. His first job was as an instructor of accounting and economics at Bloomsburg State College in Pennsylvania. He was there for one year, after which time he went to work as an auditor for a public accounting firm in Tulsa. After two years in public accounting, he worked as an auditor for two years at Halliburton in Duncan, Oklahoma. He received his CPA certificate (#1659) from the State of Oklahoma in 1963. Charles went back to OSU, and received his M.S in accounting in May, 1964.

Later, he went on to obtain his Ph.D. from the University of Alabama (May, 1972, Major in Industrial Relations with minors in Economics and Finance). It was at the married student housing at the University of Alabama that the Strong's started their lifelong friendship with JF and Earlene Burney.

While working on his Ph.D., the Strong's moved between small college's in Alabama, Mississippi, and Texas at which Charles had short term teaching assistantships. He was an instructor at OSU, the University of Alabama, Mississippi State College for Women, University of Texas at El Paso, and the University of Montevallo (in Alabama).

Charles looked a bit like Henry Kissinger (Secretary of State under Richard Nixon). Once, while on a business trip, he was in a bar in Washington D.C. He heard a whispered conversation between two people, who were hotly debating whether or not he was indeed Dr. Kissinger. When the waitress came up to ask if he wanted a refill, he drolly answered, in his Kissingerian best, "Yah."

In May, 1973, Charles was offered a position in the Accounting Department of Pan American University in Edinburg, Texas. He also received his Texas CPA Certificate (No. 12,595) in January, 1974.

While in the Rio Grande Valley, Charles became an avid bird watcher and member of the National Audobon Society. He participated in many bird censuses. He also enjoyed sailing.

Dr. Strong later became a full professor at Pan American. He taught mainly accounting classes, although towards the end of his career he began to teach in the management department. He retired in December, 1997. During his tenure at Pan Am, he served on numerous committees, was a N.A.S.A. Faculty Intern at the Johnson Space Center during the summer of 1974, and served as a visiting professor at Incarnate Word College in San Antonio. He also did the accounting, taxes, and financial planning for a corporate client in Edinburg. Charles retired from Pan American in December 1997.

Charles is a voracious reader, and is especially interested in nature and history. In the late 1990's he and his brother Bill made several trips to Europe to visit their cousin Pete Kubik and to visit various battle sites of World War II. He also became interested in Genealogy, and began travelling throughout the southwest, visiting courthouses in search of land records and also interviewing family members.

He is an enrolled member of the Chickasaw nation, as was his maternal grandfather, Thomas Payne. He is also a Mason.

(Medical):Had Covid-19 in December 2020.

Charles married Patricia Marion McGuire on 25 May 1957 in Stillwater, Payne County, Oklahoma. Patricia (daughter of Keith David McGuire, Sr. and Josephine Marguerite Morlas) was born on 30 Oct 1933 in Camargo, Dewey County, Oklahoma; died on 16 Mar 2018 in Edinburg, Hidalgo County, Texas; was buried in Camargo (Westside) Cemetery, Camargo, Dewey County, Oklahoma. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

(Research):Bill attended Oklahoma A&M at the same time his brother Charles was there. He served in the Army from 1957 to 1978. He was a Major, and in Military Intelligence. He was stationed in Germany for many years. After his retirement, he became a regional sales manager for Motor Manual.

Obituary

William "Bill" Robert Strong passed away on March 4, 2024. Bill was the second child of Homer Strong and Anna Laura Payne born in Duncan, Oklahoma on February 20, 1934. As the second son of seven children, he had four brothers and two sisters.

Bill gained a love of music and singing from his father who sang in a Barbershop quartet throughout his childhood. He received a scholarship in music to Oklahoma State University in 1953 and helped to create the singing group called The Four Chi's as a part of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. He met the love of his life Betty Wehunt on a blind date at the University. He was drafted into the Army after college in late 1957. During boot camp he married Betty in Colorado Springs on February 22, 1958. He spent 20 years in the Army and then had a 20-year career with Hearst Publishing. He enjoyed traveling, and both of his careers provided plenty of it. They lived in Europe several times and transferred to six different states while in the military. He also traveled all over the states for his job at Hearst while based in Oklahoma.

Bill was a class clown who loved one liners and corny "Dad jokes" which always made us laugh. He also had a lifelong love of dancing. No matter where we lived, he would find a restaurant with a dance floor and would dance with mom while the kids ate. He loved going out on a family vacation. While his children were young, they either went camping, boating, sailing or drove cross country to visit out-of-state relatives every summer. Later in life he and his wife would take 2 vacations a year traveling either to Europe or visiting their children across the nation. When Bill retired, he bought a home in Texas and spent his later years "snow birding" from Oklahoma to Texas with a few trips to see his children in the US or friends in England.

He was diagnosed with cancer over 10 years ago. His cancer resurfaced in 2019 and then again last year in 2023. The last reoccurrence eventually took his life after nearly a year of chemotherapy. Bill is survived by his brother Thomas Strong (wife Vicki) and his brother Paul David Strong; his son, Richard Strong; his son, John Strong (wife Kim and son Benjamin); his son, Stanley Strong (wife Ginger and daughters Kennedy, Brooklyn and Rayanna); his son, Gregory Strong (wife Cecille and son Maximillian).

Obituary published on Legacy.com by YANDA & SON FUNERAL HOME - YUKON on Mar. 12, 2024.

William married Betty Alice Wehunt on 22 Feb 1958 in Colorado Springs, El Paso County, Colorado. Betty was born on 4 Mar 1935 in Ada, Pontotoc County, Oklahoma; died on 29 Apr 2013 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma; was buried on 3 May 2013. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Obituary

John Ralph Strong, 86, of Duncan, Oklahoma passed away peacefully at home on Monday, April 4, 2022.

Graveside funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, April 8, 2022 at the Duncan Cemetery with Rev. David Galletly, and arrangements have been entrusted to the family care of Carter-Smart Directors.

Family visitation will be Thursday evening April 7, 2022 at the Carter-Smart Funeral Home from 6:00-8:00 p.m.

John was born June 16, 1935 in Duncan, Oklahoma to Homer and Anna Laura (Payne) Strong. He attended Duncan Public Schools, where he participated in Choir, and graduated in 1954. He joined the U.S. Air Force in June of that year and served until May 1968. After his military service he worked for Halliburton, Texas Instruments, and retired from Duncan Public Schools after working as a janitor at Woodrow Wilson Elementary for many years. He married Brenda Cole in 1979. They had two children, Carrie and Taylor. He was a practical man and was excellent at mechanical repair. In his younger years he was an avid fisherman, spending hours at the lake. He was above all. though a voracious reader and history buff, and was passionate about subjects he studied. He was also a lover of classical music. During his military service and after, he was fortunate to work and travel all over the glob and always had an interesting story to share. These stories about his travels helped instill his love of history and the arts in his children.

He was preceded death by his parents, two sisters and one brother.

John is survived by his wife; Brenda of the home, daughter; Carrie and her husband Andy Walters, son; Taylor and his wife Catherine Strong, two grandchildren, Edward and Anne Strong, and three brothers; Bill, Tom and Paul David Strong and numerous nieces and nephews.

https://www.cartersmartfuneralhome.com/obituary/John-Strong

John married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Mary Caroline Brasher, 78, of Duncan, Oklahoma passed away Friday morning, January 5, 2018 in Duncan. Funeral services will be held at 2:00PM Monday January 8, 2018 at Don Grantham Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Glenn McGee officiating. Interment will follow at Duncan Cemetery under the care of Don Grantham Funeral Home. The family will receive friends 5:30 to 7:00pm Sunday evening, January 7, 2018 at the funeral home.

Caroline was born in Duncan, Oklahoma on March 18, 1939. She was the fourth of seven children of Homer and Anna Laura. She was baptized and raised in the Assumption Catholic Church in Duncan where she was a member for many years. She often spoke of warm childhood memories of family, friends, dancing and music. She recalled as a very young child meeting her father on Friday afternoons coming home from Ft. Sill during the War and walking home with him and about being the fastest runner on the street as a child, frequently out running her male playmates. She dearly loved her brothers and sister.

After high school, she met James Earl "Jim" Brasher, an army serviceman stationed at Fort Sill and they soon fell in love and were married May 28, 1960. Caroline and Jim became lifelong residents of Duncan where they raised their four children. Caroline was a tireless homemaker, ran a small day-care from home, and was avidly involved in her children's school and sports activities. Caroline enjoyed spending her later years collecting and watching classic movies, listening to Frank Sinatra tunes, remodeling her homes, attending family reunions and traveling. She loved the colorful Southwest desert landscape, and made a few trips to visit the rich cultural heritage found in Santa Fe, New Mexico with family and church members. She loved following OU football and OKC Thunder basketball. Most of all, she loved her family and was very proud of her children's and grandchildren's accomplishments. She was passionate about giving to charitable causes including religious and cultural affiliations. She drew strength from Billy Graham and other evangelical ministries and was a prayer warrior, especially during her beloved husband's prolonged illness.

Caroline is preceded in death by her devoted husband of 57 years, her parents, Homer and Anna Laura Strong, her sister, Theresa, and beautiful granddaughter Alexandra. Caroline is survived by her children Regina Stuart and her husband, Don; Libby Morris and her husband Terry; Andy Brasher and his wife, Kim; and Patti Moore and her husband Steve. Grandchildren Brandon, Shelby, Beau, Victoria, Trevor, Caroline, Jeremy, Caelan, Shannon and Kathleen. Great-grandchildren Jackson, Addison, James, Elizabeth and Clay all of whom she loved and was so very proud of.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Christians Concerned at 702 W. Willow Ave, Duncan, OK 73533. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.granthamfuneralhomes.com.

Mary married James Earl "Red" Brasher on 28 May 1960 in Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma. James was born on 10 Nov 1938 in Decaturville, Decatur County, Tennessee; died on 15 Jul 2017 in Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma; was buried on 18 Jul 2017 in Duncan Municipal Cemetery, Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

The Duncan (Okla.) Banner Sunday, July 30, 1995

Theresa Strong Rutledge

Austin, Texas--Former Duncan resident Theresa Strong Rutledge, 53, of Austin died Friday, July 28, 1995, in Austin.

Services will be 10:30 am Monday at Duncan's Assumption Catholic Church with the Rev. James Rapp officiating. Burial will be in Duncan cemetery under the direction of Don Grantham Funeral Home.

Ms. Rutledge was born March 25, 1942, at Duncan to the late H.R. "Sarg" and Anna L. Payne Strong. She had been an employee of the Word of God Benedictine Monastery in Watertown, S.D. and homemaker. She was affiliated with the St. Thomas Moore Catholic Church in Austin.

Survivors include two daughters, Anna Marie Rutledge and Sarah Rutledge, both of Austin, five brothers Charles Strong of Edinburg, Texas; Bill Strong of Oklahoma City; John Strong of Duncan; Tom Strong of Phoenix, Arizona; and Paul Strong of Santa Barbara, California; a sister, Carolyne Brasher of Duncan; and a grandson, Matthew Rutledge of Austin.

Bearers will be nephews. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Williamson County Hospice, 308 W. 17th, Georgetown, Texas 78626, or to the Chisholm Trail Hospice, P.O. Box 1142, Duncan, Oklahoma 733534.

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Notes:

Obituary

Patricia (Patti) Lynn Moore, 55, joined her Lord and Savior on her late fathers birthday, November 10, 2020 after a sudden and brief illness. She passed away quietly with loved ones surrounding her. Her funeral will be held at Whitt Funeral Home in Duncan on Saturday, November 14, at 3:00 p.m. with visitation on Friday, November 13 from 5-7 p.m.

Patti was the fourth child born to Jim and Caroline Brasher in Duncan, Oklahoma on January 29, 1965. Raised in Duncan, she was a 1983 graduate of Duncan High School. She was married in 1985 to Steve Moore at the Assumption Catholic Church in Duncan. Patti had a sweet soul, generous heart, and always willing to put others' needs before her own. She offered a ready smile, an open ear, and kind comments to all those she met. She had a fun-loving and gregarious personality that made others around her feel welcome. Patti enjoyed children, working in the yard, laughing, politics and listening to rock music. She has a passion for reading history and visiting museums. Patti was a member of the Chickasaw Nation and loved her job and her regular customers at the Chisholm Trail Casino Gift Shop where she worked for the past 11 years.

Patti especially enjoyed gathering for holidays, family reunions, special events with her family, and with life-long friends through the years. Above all, Patti loved being a daughter, sister, cousin, aunt, mother, and grandmother. She was proud of her children and grandchildren. Her last act of kindness was to give the gift of life through organ donation.

Patti is preceded in death by her parents James and Caroline Brasher. Patti is survived by husband Steve Moore, daughter Shelby Moore of Duncan, OK, sons Beau Moore of Reno, NV, Trevor Moore of Owasso, OK, and Jeremy Moore of Duncan; grandchildren Jackson, Addison and Cayson all of Duncan; her siblings Gina Stuart of Duncan, Libby Morris of Norman, and Andy Brasher of Owasso; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. We will all cherish her memory and will miss her forever.

Online condolences can be made to the family at www.whittfh.com.

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Notes:

Lead Clinical Researcher for Benchmark Medical Research in Austin.

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