Jack Neil Strong

1915 - 2003  (87 years)

• Name	Jack Neil Strong  [1, 2, 3, 4]
  Birth	25 Dec 1915	Lawton, Comanche County, Oklahoma   [1, 3, 4]
  Gender	Male
  Death	13 Dec 2003	Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas
  Notes	Most of the information below was obtained on January 29, 1999 at Donald Joe Weavers ranch in St. Joe, Texas. Tape recordings were made over several hours. The quality of the tapes is poor due to background noise. Those present were Viola Strong Weaver, her son Don and his wife Pat, Barney Strong and his wife Violet, Anna L. (Rooney) Strong, Jack Neill Strong, and the compiler, Charles Strong. Jack and his twin brother Jake were born on Christmas Day 1915, Jake dying shortly after his birth. Jack's mother, Tessie Soukup Strong died about six months later. Shortly after his mother's death, one of Walter Strong's aunts, Rosetta Neill came to visit the Strong family in Prague, Oklahoma. Jack was very ill. Rosetta and her husband, Hamilton Neill, took Jack home with them to Vinson (Harmon) County, Oklahoma to better care for him. The Neill's farm was large and even had indoor plumbing, a rarity in rural Oklahoma in 1916. Jack went to school in Vinson, about 8 miles from the farm. In the early years, he traveled to school by horse and wagon, and later on a T-Model Ford School bus. When Jack was in either the fourth or fifth grade, he was teasing some girls and got into a fight. After the fight, they told him he didn't even have a father or mother. At the age of 10 or 11, this was a shock. As he walked up the lane to the farmhouse, his mother saw that he was crying and had been fighting. His dad asked what was wrong. Jack replied, "The kids said you weren't my Papa and Mama." They came clean and stated "We are not your Mama and Papa. You were a sick little baby, and we went and got you and we picked you out to be one of our little family." This did not help one bit. At this age, one does not understand that. Jack said "As a result of this, up to this day, it is hard for me to trust anybody!" After this, it was never the same. They treated me better than their own kids. They had two boys and two girls already gone from home. I was the only child there, and they spoiled me rotten. When Jack was 14 or 15, the Neills told him that his father, Walter Strong, was alive. Shortly after this, Mr. Neill died, and Jack took care of his mother. He had to quit school, but went back for awhile. Mrs. Neill took Jack to see Walter and his stepmother, Stella. Perhaps this was when they were living west of Lawton, around 1931 or 1932. They visited for two or three days. Jack recalls playing with some kids. They were probably Barney, Bob, and Cecil. The day before they were to go home, they were eating and Walter asked Jack if he wanted to stay with them, or go home with Mommy Neill. Jack said "I want to go home." He thought that Walter might have been hurt by this decision. The next morning, he and his mother took the bus back to Vinson, Oklahoma. He added that "All of this was in the back of my mind, and I was very confused. The Neill's may also have been uncertain as to their relationship with Jack. On the 1920 census, he was listed as their adopted son. In 1930, he was listed simply as a lodger. After high school in the 1930's, Jack went to work for C.R. Anthony Company as a shoe salesman in Lawton, Oklahoma. There was a disagreement one evening after a big day's sale, to military personnel on payday, and Jack was fired. It appears he had a date. When he didn't show up for work on Monday, Mr. Anthony called him up from Oklahoma City. Jack refused to go back to Lawton, but agreed to continue working for him at the Oklahoma City store. Soon Jack was working two jobs. His second job was with a drug store. About this time he married Bernadine and needed the money. This was in the late 1930s when times were hard. Soon, he was working at the drug store during the day, and as a bartender at the Black Hotel in the evenings. This was right before World War II. He doubled his wages. While holding down these two jobs, Jack was drafted into the army early in World War II. While working at the bar, airmen from the Will Rogers Air Corps Base who were customers advised Jack to try to become a cook in the service. Upon induction into the army, he told them he was a cook at the Black Hotel. He was given a test about cuts of meat. Having grown up on a ranch, the test was a snap. At Fort Sill, Oklahoma, he received ill-fitting clothes that afternoon, and was awakened at 4 am the next morning to scramble eggs all day in a field kitchen. Jack was shipped to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri for basic training. While at Fort Leonard Wood, he cooked but never went through basic training, except for the rifle range. Jack was shipped overseas, first to North Africa, then to Sicily. He travelled "from the toe up through the north till the war ended." After the war, Jack was discharged in Virginia Beach, VA. Upon discharge, he hired a man with a Piper Cub plan to fly him to Oklahoma for $150, half of his mustering out pay. Back in Oklahoma, Jack worked first for a beauty and barber supply company. Next he worked for Tom's Peanut Company. After that, he took a job selling jewelry and toys to stores in southern Oklahoma and northern Texas. He also sold buttons and zippers. He worked for the Pearl Button Company of Lansing, Iowa for 32 years. Charles R. Strong and some of his brothers and sisters recall visiting Jack several times during these years. The Button Company went bankrupt, and so went Jacks retirement. Jack next started to sell flags, banners, and sales promotion material like that foung around car lots, parades, etc. The flag business was in several locations. First Austin and Seguin, Texas. Next he went to Miami, Florida. After Florida, he lived in New Orleans, Louisiana for 9 years. Later he retired to Hawaii and loved it. Since his only income was Social Security and he could not afford trips to the states to visit his children, he moved back to the states and settled in Forth Worth around 1994. Obituary: Obituary Jack Neil Strong Jack Neil Strong, 87, a retired salesman and entrepreneur died December 13th, 2003 in Fort Worth. Funeral: 1 p.m. Thursday, December 18th at Forest Ridge Funeral Home, Hurst, Texas. His ashes will be placed at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery following the memorial service. Memorial: In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Community Hospice of Texas, 6100 Western Place, Suite 500, Fort Worth, Texas 76107. Jack was born Christmas day, 1915 in Lawton, Okla. He proudly served in the US Army during World War II. He was an outstanding salesman throughout his life and sold a variety of items including Tom's Peanuts, buttons, zippers, costume jewelry, and flags and pennants. He never met a stranger and could always make you smile or laugh. He was a lover of life and lived life to its fullest to the very end. He was loved by many and will be sorely missed. Survivors: Daughters, Jacqueline Forni Conner of Denton and Dr. Kathy Morrison Zatopek and husband, Wayne Zatopek of Hurst and Tyler; Granddaughters, Christina Dittrich and husband, Derek Dittrich of Hamilton, Tex. and Meghann Brown and husband, Ryan Brown of Killeen, Tex. Great Granddaughters Shelby and Tayler Dittrich; sister, Viola Weaver of Gainesville; brother, Barney Strong of Gainesville; half-brother, Bob Strong of Lawton, Okla. (Research):Census Information: 1920 Census Oklahoma, Harmon County, Francis Twp 16 January 1920 FM #105-106 Neils (sic), Hamilton Head M W 53 M Texas US US Farmer Neils, Rosetta Wife F W 54 M Yes Texas Missouri Virginia Neils, Clyde E Son M W 17 Ok Tx Tx Farm Laborer Neils, Elmer H Son M w 15 Ok Tx Tx Farm Laborer Neils, Jack Adopted Son M W 4 1/2 Ok Ok Ok 1940 Census Oklahoma, Tillman, Frederick City Enumerated April 18, 1940 ED 9 SD 71-6 Enumerated April 15, 1940 309-60 P 3000 Phillips, William Head M W 46 M No H-2 Tx Sameplace Mail Rural carrier USPO Phillips, Mable Wf F W 43 M No H-3 Ohio Sameplace Phillips, Billie C Son M W 16 S Okla Sameplace Phillips, Doris E Dtr F W 14 S Okla Sameplace Strong, Jack N Son-in-law M W 24 M No H-4 Okla Sameplace Shoe Salesman Shoe Store Strong, Eugenia Dtr F W 20 M M-4 Okla Same Place Strong, Irma G Dtr F W 1 S No O Okla
  Person ID	I1290	Strong Family Tree
  Last Modified	26 Dec 2020

  
  

  Father	Walter Winfield Strong,   b. 10 May 1881, Farmersville, Collin County, Texas d. 4 Apr 1961, Gainesville, Cooke County, Texas (Age 79 years)
  Mother	Terezie Rose "Tessie" Soukup,   b. 4 Jun 1886, Milligan, Fillmore County, Nebraska d. 3 Jun 1916, Lawton, Comanche County, Oklahoma (Age 29 years)
  Marriage	4 Aug 1907	Lawton, Comanche County, Oklahoma
  	Married by Oliver R. Land, Minister of the first Congregational Church of Lawton, Comanche County, Oklahoma Territory. Witnesses were Harry Soukup and Mrs. S.G. Royl. She was listed as Tessa on the marriage license. Rhodene Frederick found the following burial records for Highland Cemetery in Lawton: Strong, Tessie R., b. 1886, d. Jun 3, 1916, 30y, NE-Frank Sankeans (sic) Strong, Walter W., b. 1881, d. Apr 4, 1961, 80y, TN-Ralph Strong
  Family ID	F20	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family 1	Living
  Family ID	F892	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
  Last Modified	8 Aug 2009

  
  

  Family 2	Eugenia Lou Phillips,   b. 12 Nov 1919, Frederick, Tillman County, Oklahoma d. 24 Nov 1999 (Age 80 years)
  Marriage	28 Mar 1937	Frederick, Tillman County, Oklahoma   [2, 5]
  	At the time of the marriage, the bride was 17, and her father J. W. Phillips gave permission on March 27, 1937. They were married by R. O. Callahan in the Methodist Church with R.H. Keeser and J.W. Phillips as witnesses. Eugenia and Jack were divorced in Tillman County, Divorce Petition-District Court Docket, Book 14, page 13, Case #8312, filed January 26, 1942. At that time, daughter Irma Jean was 3 years old and son James Timothy was about 14 months old. The divorce petition alleges that about February 14, 1940, Jack sent her and the children home, forced to live with her parents. She further alleges that Jack refused to support her since abandonment. She requested personal property and custody of the children, and also requested defendant pay $25/month child support plus $100 attorney fees. The divorce was granted on February 3, 1942. It granted all of the alleged is true. It also decreed that Jack was to pay the child support and the attorney fees, starting March 1, 1942.
  Children	1. Living   2. Living
  Family ID	F893	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
  Last Modified	26 Dec 2020

  
  

  Family 3	Bernadine Horton,   b. 26 Jan 1919, Stillwater, Payne County, Oklahoma d. 10 Sep 2005, Denton, Denton County, Texas (Age 86 years)
  Marriage	Bef 1946
  Children	1. Living   2. Living
  Family ID	F894	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
  Last Modified	9 Dec 2006

  
  

• Event Map

  Birth - 25 Dec 1915 - Lawton, Comanche County, Oklahoma Marriage - 28 Mar 1937 - Frederick, Tillman County, Oklahoma Death - 13 Dec 2003 - Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas  = Link to Google Earth

  
  

• Photos » Slide Show		Strong, Walter Winfield ca 1916, with his children This photo of Walter and his children appears to have been taken after his wife, Tessie Soukup, died of kidney failure. The family was living in Southern Oklahoma at the time. From left to right, Viola, baby Jack, Homer, Walter and Barney Strong.
  		Strong, Walter and Tessie (Soukup) Children This picture of Viola, Homer, Barney and baby Jack was taken in 1916, shortly after their mother, Tessie died.
  		Strong, Jack and Eugenia (Phillips) Jack and Eugenia were married in 1937 and divorced in 1942
  		Strong Men go to War, 1941-1945, with Jack Cecil Lewis, Homer Strong, Barney Strong, Robert Strong, and Jack Strong (left to right), sons of Walter Winfield Strong. As Cecil had already been drafted, he borrowed an extra uniform from Barney in order to be in the picture. As it turned out, health issues caused him to be classified as 4-F, so he was unable to join his brothers in the service. Jack Neill Strong was in the military, but was not in Oklahoma when the photo was taken. Some years later he had his image, on the far right, superimposed beside those of his brothers.
  		_Strong, Jack Neil B. 1915 Oklahoma D. 2003 Texas He was born Christmas day in Lawton, Okla. He proudly served in the US Army during World War II. He was an outstanding salesman throughout his life and sold a variety of items including Tom's Peanuts, buttons, zippers, costume jewelry, and flags and pennants. He never met a stranger and could always make you smile or laugh. He was a lover of life and lived life to its fullest to the very end.
  		Strong, Jack ca 1960's with Snip Weaver and Barney Strong Jack with his brother and brother in law
  		At least one living or private individual is linked to this item - Details withheld.
  		Strong, Homer ca 1962 with family and friends On sofa, seated, L to R: Cecil Lewis, Bob Strong, Donald Joe Weaver, Homer Strong, Leroy Weaver, and Jack Strong. Standing behind Jack are Tommy Lewis (left) and Barney Strong. Seated on the floor is Charles Strong, and seated on a footstool to his right is his brother Bill. This picture was taken in the home of Homer and Anna Laura Strong in Duncan.
  		Strong Siblings, Christmas, 1963 This picture, which appears to have been taken in the home of Viola Weaver of Gainesville, Texas. It was is one of the few times that all the Strong Siblings were together as adults. From Left to Right are Homer Strong, Cecil Lewis, Viola Weaver, Barney Strong, Jack Strong, and Bob Strong. They were all the children of Walter Winfield Strong.

  
  

• Sources

  [S410] Strong, Betty Wehunt, Genealogy prepared for Strong Family Reunion ca 1988, subsequent correspondence and emails. [S1981] . [S483] 1920 United States Federal Census [Ancestry.com database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2005, (For details on the contents of the film numbers, visit the NARA web page. This database is an index to individuals enumerated in the 1920 United States Federal Census, the Fourteenth Census of the United States. It includes all states and territories, as well as Military and Naval Forces, the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, and the Panama Canal Zone. The census provides many details about individuals and families including: name, gender, age, birthplace, year of immigration, mother tongue, and parents? birthplaces. In addition, the names of those listed on the population schedule are linked to actual images of the 1920 Federal Census.), Oklahoma, Harmon County, Francis Twp 16 January 1920 FM #105-106 (Reliability: 3). [S1299] 1940 United States Federal Census [Ancestry.com. database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012, (Original data: United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1940. T627, 4,643 rolls.), Year: 1940; Census Place: Frederick, Tillman, Oklahoma; Roll: m-t0627-03335; Page: 8A; Enumeration District: 71-6 (Reliability: 3). [S426] Tillman County, Oklahoma Marriage Records.