Jimmie Royce Strong, age 85 died at his home in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, on December 13, 2014. Born in Marshall, Texas, on December 14, 1928, he was predeceased by his parents, Leta Gray Strong and Roy Strong; his brother G.S.; and his daughter LeAnn Strong. Jim is survived by his wife, Ruth Hartley Strong, of Tuscaloosa; his son, James Francis Strong of Vienna, Virginia; his daughter-in-law, Dagmar Strong-Wittmann of Berlin, Germany; his granddaughter Celeste Strong of Vienna, Virginia; and his siblings Maurine Jones (Murray), Darrell Strong(Geraldine), Ina Marie Pierce, Hillard Strong (Sarah Joe), and Betty Anne Alexander (Carnes) all residents in East Texas.
After attending Marshall High School, he served in the U.S. Army both stateside and in the Philippines, before being honorably discharged in 1950. He worked briefly at the Redstone Arsenal in Texarkana, Texas, before beginning employment for more than 12 years as an electrician with the RG LeTourneau Company in Longview. In 1963, he moved his family to Memphis, Tennessee and thus began a long and successful career in the forestry equipment industry. While residing in Tennessee, Jim obtained his private pilot's liscense, and he greatly enjoyed flying his family in the company's Cessna aircraft to several destinations throughout the region. Three years later he was asked to open a branch office in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, where he successfully led Wilco's regional sales and service activities. In 1968, he entered into a partnership to form a new forestry equipment company in Montgomery, Alabama. In yet another upward move, Jim sold out his share of that company in 1970 to establish his own sole proprietary, Strong Equipment Company, in Tuscaloosa, which thrived until he sold it in 1981. After working for a total 43 years in the timber industry, he retired in 2006 at the age of 78 to enjoy more time with his family.
Jim was universally recognized for his humble nature, generous spirit and quiet integrity. A man of few words, he dedicated his life to providing and caring for his family, in whom he took his greatest joy. He was a hero to all three of us and will be sorely missed. Starting out life on a farm in East Texas, he was a blessed man who became an entrepreneur who always achieved upward mobility for his family. His life was a genuine example of the American success story. Understanding the importance of higher education, Jim enabled his son and daughter to each earn two degrees from the University of Alabama. After obtaining his law degree, Fran led a successful 31-year career as a Foreign Service Officer with the U.S. Department of State, living and working overseas for 21 years. LeAnn held a series of key positions as an accountant with the University of Alabama, where she was employed for 25 years. His daughter-in-law, Dagmar a native of Vienna, Austria, is also a Foreign Service Officer who is currently serving at the U.S. Embassy in Berlin.
Jim attended the First Baptist Church of Tuscaloosa. An outstanding and agile athlete, he played baseball and football in his younger years in the army and while living in Longview. After moving to Tuscaloosa, he became a dedicated Crimson Tide football fan and enjoyed attending games with his son or watching them on television.
The family would like to salute his sister Betty Anne Alexander and her husband Carnes; because of their trips from Texas to visit their daughter, Dawn Stuber, who lives in Kimberly, Alabama. Jim was able to enjoy fellowships with them. The family would like to thank Ron and Mary-An Wilson, Jan Crow, Ann Yeckley, Linda Kelly, Melanie Roberts O’Rear, Zecke South, Mary Rainey Sykes, Cy Howell and “Buddy” May.
Graveside services will be 11:00 A.M. Thursday, December 18 2014, at Algoma Cemetery, in Marshall, Texas with Sullivan Funeral Home in Marshall Texas, directing and Heritage Chapel Funeral Home & Cremations handling local arrangements in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be to the charity of one’s choice.
After attending Marshall High School, he served in the U.S. Army both stateside and in the Philippines, before being honorably discharged in 1950. He worked briefly at the Redstone Arsenal in Texarkana, Texas, before beginning employment for more than 12 years as an electrician with the RG LeTourneau Company in Longview. In 1963, he moved his family to Memphis, Tennessee and thus began a long and successful career in the forestry equipment industry. While residing in Tennessee, Jim obtained his private pilot's liscense, and he greatly enjoyed flying his family in the company's Cessna aircraft to several destinations throughout the region. Three years later he was asked to open a branch office in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, where he successfully led Wilco's regional sales and service activities. In 1968, he entered into a partnership to form a new forestry equipment company in Montgomery, Alabama. In yet another upward move, Jim sold out his share of that company in 1970 to establish his own sole proprietary, Strong Equipment Company, in Tuscaloosa, which thrived until he sold it in 1981. After working for a total 43 years in the timber industry, he retired in 2006 at the age of 78 to enjoy more time with his family.
Jim was universally recognized for his humble nature, generous spirit and quiet integrity. A man of few words, he dedicated his life to providing and caring for his family, in whom he took his greatest joy. He was a hero to all three of us and will be sorely missed. Starting out life on a farm in East Texas, he was a blessed man who became an entrepreneur who always achieved upward mobility for his family. His life was a genuine example of the American success story. Understanding the importance of higher education, Jim enabled his son and daughter to each earn two degrees from the University of Alabama. After obtaining his law degree, Fran led a successful 31-year career as a Foreign Service Officer with the U.S. Department of State, living and working overseas for 21 years. LeAnn held a series of key positions as an accountant with the University of Alabama, where she was employed for 25 years. His daughter-in-law, Dagmar a native of Vienna, Austria, is also a Foreign Service Officer who is currently serving at the U.S. Embassy in Berlin.
Jim attended the First Baptist Church of Tuscaloosa. An outstanding and agile athlete, he played baseball and football in his younger years in the army and while living in Longview. After moving to Tuscaloosa, he became a dedicated Crimson Tide football fan and enjoyed attending games with his son or watching them on television.
The family would like to salute his sister Betty Anne Alexander and her husband Carnes; because of their trips from Texas to visit their daughter, Dawn Stuber, who lives in Kimberly, Alabama. Jim was able to enjoy fellowships with them. The family would like to thank Ron and Mary-An Wilson, Jan Crow, Ann Yeckley, Linda Kelly, Melanie Roberts O’Rear, Zecke South, Mary Rainey Sykes, Cy Howell and “Buddy” May.
Graveside services will be 11:00 A.M. Thursday, December 18 2014, at Algoma Cemetery, in Marshall, Texas with Sullivan Funeral Home in Marshall Texas, directing and Heritage Chapel Funeral Home & Cremations handling local arrangements in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be to the charity of one’s choice.
Jimmie Royce Strong, age 85 died at his home in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, on December 13, 2014. Born in Marshall, Texas, on December 14, 1928, he was predeceased by his parents, Leta Gray Strong and Roy Strong; his brother G.S.; and his daughter LeAnn Strong. Jim is survived by his wife, Ruth Hartley Strong, of Tuscaloosa; his son, James Francis Strong of Vienna, Virginia; his daughter-in-law, Dagmar Strong-Wittmann of Berlin, Germany; his granddaughter Celeste Strong of Vienna, Virginia; and his siblings Maurine Jones (Murray), Darrell Strong(Geraldine), Ina Marie Pierce, Hillard Strong (Sarah Joe), and Betty Anne Alexander (Carnes) all residents in East Texas.
After attending Marshall High School, he served in the U.S. Army both stateside and in the Philippines, before being honorably discharged in 1950. He worked briefly at the Redstone Arsenal in Texarkana, Texas, before beginning employment for more than 12 years as an electrician with the RG LeTourneau Company in Longview. In 1963, he moved his family to Memphis, Tennessee and thus began a long and successful career in the forestry equipment industry. While residing in Tennessee, Jim obtained his private pilot's liscense, and he greatly enjoyed flying his family in the company's Cessna aircraft to several destinations throughout the region. Three years later he was asked to open a branch office in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, where he successfully led Wilco's regional sales and service activities. In 1968, he entered into a partnership to form a new forestry equipment company in Montgomery, Alabama. In yet another upward move, Jim sold out his share of that company in 1970 to establish his own sole proprietary, Strong Equipment Company, in Tuscaloosa, which thrived until he sold it in 1981. After working for a total 43 years in the timber industry, he retired in 2006 at the age of 78 to enjoy more time with his family.
Jim was universally recognized for his humble nature, generous spirit and quiet integrity. A man of few words, he dedicated his life to providing and caring for his family, in whom he took his greatest joy. He was a hero to all three of us and will be sorely missed. Starting out life on a farm in East Texas, he was a blessed man who became an entrepreneur who always achieved upward mobility for his family. His life was a genuine example of the American success story. Understanding the importance of higher education, Jim enabled his son and daughter to each earn two degrees from the University of Alabama. After obtaining his law degree, Fran led a successful 31-year career as a Foreign Service Officer with the U.S. Department of State, living and working overseas for 21 years. LeAnn held a series of key positions as an accountant with the University of Alabama, where she was employed for 25 years. His daughter-in-law, Dagmar a native of Vienna, Austria, is also a Foreign Service Officer who is currently serving at the U.S. Embassy in Berlin.
Jim attended the First Baptist Church of Tuscaloosa. An outstanding and agile athlete, he played baseball and football in his younger years in the army and while living in Longview. After moving to Tuscaloosa, he became a dedicated Crimson Tide football fan and enjoyed attending games with his son or watching them on television.
The family would like to salute his sister Betty Anne Alexander and her husband Carnes; because of their trips from Texas to visit their daughter, Dawn Stuber, who lives in Kimberly, Alabama. Jim was able to enjoy fellowships with them. The family would like to thank Ron and Mary-An Wilson, Jan Crow, Ann Yeckley, Linda Kelly, Melanie Roberts O’Rear, Zecke South, Mary Rainey Sykes, Cy Howell and “Buddy” May.
Graveside services will be 11:00 A.M. Thursday, December 18 2014, at Algoma Cemetery, in Marshall, Texas with Sullivan Funeral Home in Marshall Texas, directing and Heritage Chapel Funeral Home & Cremations handling local arrangements in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be to the charity of one’s choice.
After attending Marshall High School, he served in the U.S. Army both stateside and in the Philippines, before being honorably discharged in 1950. He worked briefly at the Redstone Arsenal in Texarkana, Texas, before beginning employment for more than 12 years as an electrician with the RG LeTourneau Company in Longview. In 1963, he moved his family to Memphis, Tennessee and thus began a long and successful career in the forestry equipment industry. While residing in Tennessee, Jim obtained his private pilot's liscense, and he greatly enjoyed flying his family in the company's Cessna aircraft to several destinations throughout the region. Three years later he was asked to open a branch office in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, where he successfully led Wilco's regional sales and service activities. In 1968, he entered into a partnership to form a new forestry equipment company in Montgomery, Alabama. In yet another upward move, Jim sold out his share of that company in 1970 to establish his own sole proprietary, Strong Equipment Company, in Tuscaloosa, which thrived until he sold it in 1981. After working for a total 43 years in the timber industry, he retired in 2006 at the age of 78 to enjoy more time with his family.
Jim was universally recognized for his humble nature, generous spirit and quiet integrity. A man of few words, he dedicated his life to providing and caring for his family, in whom he took his greatest joy. He was a hero to all three of us and will be sorely missed. Starting out life on a farm in East Texas, he was a blessed man who became an entrepreneur who always achieved upward mobility for his family. His life was a genuine example of the American success story. Understanding the importance of higher education, Jim enabled his son and daughter to each earn two degrees from the University of Alabama. After obtaining his law degree, Fran led a successful 31-year career as a Foreign Service Officer with the U.S. Department of State, living and working overseas for 21 years. LeAnn held a series of key positions as an accountant with the University of Alabama, where she was employed for 25 years. His daughter-in-law, Dagmar a native of Vienna, Austria, is also a Foreign Service Officer who is currently serving at the U.S. Embassy in Berlin.
Jim attended the First Baptist Church of Tuscaloosa. An outstanding and agile athlete, he played baseball and football in his younger years in the army and while living in Longview. After moving to Tuscaloosa, he became a dedicated Crimson Tide football fan and enjoyed attending games with his son or watching them on television.
The family would like to salute his sister Betty Anne Alexander and her husband Carnes; because of their trips from Texas to visit their daughter, Dawn Stuber, who lives in Kimberly, Alabama. Jim was able to enjoy fellowships with them. The family would like to thank Ron and Mary-An Wilson, Jan Crow, Ann Yeckley, Linda Kelly, Melanie Roberts O’Rear, Zecke South, Mary Rainey Sykes, Cy Howell and “Buddy” May.
Graveside services will be 11:00 A.M. Thursday, December 18 2014, at Algoma Cemetery, in Marshall, Texas with Sullivan Funeral Home in Marshall Texas, directing and Heritage Chapel Funeral Home & Cremations handling local arrangements in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be to the charity of one’s choice.
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