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Homer Richard Strong

Homer Richard Strong

Male 1908 - 1990  (82 years)

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  • Name Homer Richard Strong  [1
    Birth 29 Feb 1908  Junction City, Comanche County, Oklahoma Find all individuals with events at this location  [1, 2
    Gender Male 
    Death 19 Sep 1990  Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma Find all individuals with events at this location  [1
    Burial 22 Sep 1990  Duncan Municipal Cemetery, Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma Find all individuals with events at this location 
    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
    Person ID I22  Strong Family Tree
    Last Modified 9 Nov 2020 

    Father Walter Winfield Strong,   b. 10 May 1881, Farmersville, Collin County, Texas Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 4 Apr 1961, Gainesville, Cooke County, Texas Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 79 years) 
    Mother Terezie Rose "Tessie" Soukup,   b. 4 Jun 1886, Milligan, Fillmore County, Nebraska Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 3 Jun 1916, Lawton, Comanche County, Oklahoma Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 29 years) 
    Marriage 4 Aug 1907  Lawton, Comanche County, Oklahoma Find all individuals with events at this location 
    • 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 Anna Laura Payne,   b. 23 Oct 1913, Arthur, Parks Township, Stephens County, Oklahoma Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 15 Sep 2004, Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 90 years) 
    Marriage 23 Feb 1932  Waurika, Jefferson County, Oklahoma Find all individuals with events at this location 
    • Marriage Record No. 10 Waurika, Jefferson County, Oklahoma Between H.R. Strong, age 23 of Duncan, Oklahoma and Anna Laura Payne age 18 of Duncan, Oklahoma. Married by J.H. Harper, County Judge in the presence of Geo. Taber of Waurika, Oklahoma and H.B. Longest of Waurika, Oklahoma
    Children 
     1. Charles Richard Strong,   b. 24 Aug 1932, Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 21 Oct 2021, McAllen, Hidalgo County, Texas Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 89 years)
     2. William Robert Strong,   b. 20 Feb 1934, Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 4 Mar 2024, Yukon, Canadian County, Oklahoma Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 90 years)
     3. John Ralph Strong,   b. 16 Jun 1935, Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 4 Apr 2022, Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 86 years)
     4. Mary Caroline Strong,   b. 18 Mar 1939, Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 5 Jan 2018, Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 78 years)
     5. Theresa Marie Strong,   b. 25 Mar 1942, Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 28 Jul 1995, Austin, Travis County, Texas Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 53 years)
     6. Living
     7. Living
    Documents
    Payne, Anna Laura marriage to Homer Strong
    Payne, Anna Laura marriage to Homer Strong
    Marriage license issued in Jefferson County, Oklahoma
    Family ID F9  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
    Last Modified 9 Dec 2006 

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsBirth - 29 Feb 1908 - Junction City, Comanche County, Oklahoma Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMarriage - 23 Feb 1932 - Waurika, Jefferson County, Oklahoma Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDeath - 19 Sep 1990 - Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsBurial - 22 Sep 1990 - Duncan Municipal Cemetery, Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth 

  • Photos
    Strong, Walter Winfield ca 1909 with wife and son
    Strong, Walter Winfield ca 1909 with wife and son
    Walter Winfield Strong and Tessie Rose Soukup pose with their first born son, Homer
    Strong, Homer Richard ca 1910
    Strong, Homer Richard ca 1910
    Homer, the son of Walter Strong and Tessie Soukup, at age two. He was serving as the mascot of the Prague, Oklahoma Baseball team, circa 1910.
    Strong, Homer and Viola 1911 - 1913
    Strong, Homer and Viola 1911 - 1913
    The oldest of the five children born to Walter Winfield Strong and his wife, Tessie Rose Soukup. At the time this photo was taken, the family was probably still living in Prague, Oklahoma, where Walter worked as a barber.
    Strong, Ralph Brainerd Family ca.1913
    Strong, Ralph Brainerd Family ca.1913
    Ralph Brainerd Strong Family circa 1913, Oklahoma

    Standing, Back row (L to R): UNKNOWN--Either Burt OR Claude Strong, Annie Eva (CHOATE) Strong, Lee S. Strong, Earnest Strong,Tessie Rose (SOUKUP) Strong, Walter Winfield Strong, Mary Gertrude (GAY) Strong, Augustus Homer Strong

    Seated, Front row (L to R): Homer Richard Strong (grandson), Ralph Brainerd Strong, Viola May Strong (granddaughter), Mary (STOCKBRIDGE) Strong (Second wife), Agnes Ivy Strong (granddaughter)

    Not pictured: Rolla or Earl

    PLEASE HELP US POSTIVELY IDENTIFY whether the young man standing on the left at the back is Burt or Claude!
    Strong, Walter Winfield ca 1916, with his children
    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
    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, Viola Mae ca 1921, Cecil Lewis, Homer Strong, Roy West, and Barney Strong
    Strong, Viola Mae ca 1921, Cecil Lewis, Homer Strong, Roy West, and Barney Strong
    This picture of the blended family of Walter Strong and Stella Crouch was taken in 1921 in Bison, Oklahoma, shortly after their marriage. Pictured are Viola Strong, Cecil Lewis (Stella's son by her second marriage), Homer Strong, Roy West (Stella's son by her first marriage), and Barney Strong.
    Strong, Homer and Viola 1919
    Strong, Homer and Viola 1919
    Homer and Viola in 1919
    Strong, Homer and Viola 1921
    Strong, Homer and Viola 1921
    This picture of Homer and Viola was taken shortly after their father's second marriage. A picture of all the children in the newly blended family was taken that same day.
    Strong, Homer ca 1923-1925 with Barney and Viola (R to L)
    Strong, Homer ca 1923-1925 with Barney and Viola (R to L)
    Several years after he remarried, Walter took his three children from Oklahoma to his father's home in New Mexico. Barney recalls that each time they passed a large cotton field, Walter would stop and offer their services. The money they earned paid not only for the expenses of the trip, but for the new clothes that the children were wearing in this photo. Barney said that this was the first pair of long pants that he ever owned. Barney and Homer lived for a time in New Mexico, but it is not known if it was at this time, or at a later date.
    Strong, Homer ca 1939 with wife, Anna Laura
    Strong, Homer ca 1939 with wife, Anna Laura
    This appears to have been taken at the Coca-Cola bottling plant, where Homer was employed as a sign painter.
    Strong, Homer ca 1939 with sons Bill, John, and Charles
    Strong, Homer ca 1939 with sons Bill, John, and Charles
    Homer poses with his three oldest children around 1939 in Duncan, Oklahoma. The boys, from left to right, are Bill, John and Charles.
    Strong, Homer ca 1942 in Coca-Cola Uniform
    Strong, Homer ca 1942 in Coca-Cola Uniform
    Homer was employed by Coca-Cola as a sign painter prior to be drafted into the Army during the Second World War
    Strong, Homer ca 1943
    Strong, Homer ca 1943
    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), and eventually was in charge of the radio repair school at Fort Sill.
    Strong Men Go to War, 1941-1945
    Strong Men Go to War, 1941-1945
    Cecil Lewis, Homer Strong, Barney Strong, and Robert 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, superimposed beside those of his brothers. This is the original version of the photo, without him.
    Strong Men go to War, 1941-1945, with Jack
    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, Homer ca 1951
    Strong, Homer ca 1951
    Homer Strong at work at Halliburton in Duncan in 1951. Homer was a sign painter for Halliburton, and also worked in their carpentry shop. This is from a xerox of the original photo, accounting for the marginal quality.
    Strong Family Home--located at 1806 Birch Street, Duncan, Oklahoma
    Strong Family Home--located at 1806 Birch Street, Duncan, Oklahoma
    This is the home, at 1806 Birch, that Homer and Roonie moved into with their youngest children in 1952. They remained in this home for the rest of their lives.
    At least one living or private individual is linked to this item - Details withheld.
    At least one living or private individual is linked to this item - Details withheld.
    Strong-Weaver-Lewis Reunion, Gainesville, Texas, March 1960 The Homer and Anna Laura Strong Family
    Seated, l to r, are Tommy, Anna Laura, P.D. and Homer Strong. This photo was one in a series of photos taken at a March, 1960, family reunion at the home of Viola Strong Weaver of Gainesville, Texas.
    McGuire, Patricia ca 1957 marriage to Charles Richard Strong, Stillwater, Oklahoma 5 of 10
    McGuire, Patricia ca 1957 marriage to Charles Richard Strong, Stillwater, Oklahoma 5 of 10
    The bride and groom with their parents, l to r,
    Keith McGuire, Jr, Kenneth Carpenter, Josephine Morlas McGuire Carpenter, the newly wed Pat and Charles Strong, Anna Laura Payne Strong, and Homer Strong
    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
    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.
    At least one living or private individual is linked to this item - Details withheld.
    Strong, Earl Everett and Family late 1960's
    Strong, Earl Everett and Family late 1960's
    This photo of Earl Everett Strong and some of his family was taken in California in the late 1960's, when Homer Strong came from Oklahoma for a visit. Top Row, L to R, his brothers Rolla and Homer, his wife Willie Jane (Jones), Earl Everett; Bottom Row, Sharon Strong (granddaughter) and Lee (son).
    Payne sisters with family
    Payne sisters with family
    r t l: Fay Payne Yeager, Homer Strong with wife Anna Laura Payne Strong, Lois Payne Hanna, Amos Kubik and wife
    Strong, Homer Richard ca 1970's
    Strong, Homer Richard ca 1970's
    Homer outside the Church of the Assumption in Duncan, Oklahoma
    At least one living or private individual is linked to this item - Details withheld.
    Strong, Homer ca 1985 with wife, Anna Laura
    Strong, Homer ca 1985 with wife, Anna Laura
    Homer and Anna Laura Strong, Duncan, Oklahoma
    At least one living or private individual is linked to this item - Details withheld.
    Strong Family?--UNKNOWN
    Strong Family?--UNKNOWN
    This photo was found in a group of photos belonging to Homer and Anna Laura (Payne) STRONG of Duncan, Oklahoma.

    PLEASE HELP US INDENTIFY THESE WOMEN, BOTH CURRENTLY UNKNOWN.

    Documents
    Strong, Homer and Anna Laura (Payne)
    Strong, Homer and Anna Laura (Payne)
    Children and Grandchildren. These school photos of each of Anna Laura and Homer's children and grandchildren hung on the walls of their home in Duncan for many years
    Strong, Homer Richard, Honorable Discharge from the United States Army
    Strong, Homer Richard, Honorable Discharge from the United States Army
    Homer served as a radio repairman instructor at Fort Sill, Oklahoma for the Second Battalion, Field Artillery School, from November, 1943 through March, 1946
    Strong, Homer Richard, Honorable Discharge, Enlisted Record and Report of Separation, Page 1
    Strong, Homer Richard, Honorable Discharge, Enlisted Record and Report of Separation, Page 1
    Homer served as a radio repairman instructor at Fort Sill, Oklahoma for the Second Battalion, Field Artillery School, from November, 1943 through March, 1946
    Strong, Homer Richard, Honorable Discharge, Enlisted Record and Report of Separation, Page 2
    Strong, Homer Richard, Honorable Discharge, Enlisted Record and Report of Separation, Page 2
    Homer served as a radio repairman instructor at Fort Sill, Oklahoma for the Second Battalion, Field Artillery School, from November, 1943 through March, 1946
    Strong, Homer Richard, Halliburton Company Employee Badge
    Strong, Homer Richard, Halliburton Company Employee Badge
    Homer worked in the manufacturing department of Halliburton, which at that time was still headquartered in Duncan, Oklahoma
    Strong, Homer Richard, ca 1970's
    Strong, Homer Richard, ca 1970's
    Homer supported his family as an artist before the Depression, developing a distinctive handwriting. He was also a avid amateur musician. This handwritten score of his, Yesterday by the Beatles, combined his love of both art and music.
    Strong, Homer Richard
    Strong, Homer Richard
    Death Certificate from the State of Oklahoma
    Strong, Homer Richard ca 1990, Funeral Memorium
    Strong, Homer Richard ca 1990, Funeral Memorium
    Funeral Memorium from the Don Grantham Funeral Home in Duncan, Oklahoma
    Strong, Thomas Anthony ca 2002, Certificate-yDNA, R1B1
    yDNA sample 12 marker results. Tom was one of the early participants in the Strong yDNA study, shortly afterwords several proven descendants of Elder John Strong of New England were exact matches to him, allowing him to focus his search for his American Strong ancestors


    http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~donegalstrongs/dnaresults.htm

    Headstones
    Strong, Homer and Anna Laura (Payne)
    Strong, Homer and Anna Laura (Payne)
    Homer always celebrated his birthday on March 1, which is reflected on his headstone. His actual date of birth however was on Leap Year Day, February 29, 1908.
    Strong, Homer Richard
    Strong, Homer Richard
    The month and date of birth engraved on this footstone are not correct

  • Sources 
    1. [S389] State of Oklahoma, Department of Health, Certificate of Death.

    2. [S443] U.S. Army, Enlisted Record and Report of Separation Honorable Discharge, Strong, Homer R.