Obituary for L.B. Strong

L.B. Strong – Veteran

(October 10, 1932 – December 8, 2016)

Strong, L.B., age 84, formerly of Tonkawa, OK, passed away Thursday, December 8, 2016 in Ponca City. A graveside ceremony to gratefully remember his life will be held at 2:00pm Wednesday, December 14 at 2:00pm at the I.O.O.F. Cemetery in Tonkawa where he will be laid to rest next to his beloved wife. L.B. was born on October 10, 1932 in Snowflake, VA to Charlie Strong and Lilly Nash Strong. Times were hard during his youth, L.B.’s dad passed away when he was only 7. L.B. was not able to complete elementary school so he could help provide for his family. The lack of formal education did not hold him back however, he joined the U.S. Army in the late 1940’s as part of the occupying force in Germany. After his service, he moved to California where he worked odd jobs and met the love of his life, Theda Welch. Theda was from Tonkawa and in 1967, he joined her when she moved back home to be closer to her family. L.B. worked for many years in the factory ultimately achieving the position of Plant Supervisor, before he left to start his own small engine repair business. Many people came from all over this area to have L.B’s expertise in repairing their mowers, weed eaters, chainsaws and the like. When not at the shop, L.B. would often make his way to the Lake in Shidler to see what he could catch. Few people appreciated WWF wrestling as much as L.B. who would really get into the events, sometimes getting so excited he would come up out of his chair, damaging the wall behind. With a life as eventful as L.B.’s, his stories were legendary among his friends and family. L.B. loved his family above all else and enjoyed spending time with his grandsons.

Survivors include his cherished son Butch Strong and wife Loretta of Morrison, OK, grandsons: Cory Strong of Blackwell, and Cody Strong of Blackwell; great grandsons: Landon, Derrick, Nate, Jaden, and Blake; sisters: Peggy, Juanita, and Dola all of Virginia, sister in law, Marlene Welch of Tonkawa as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife of 47 years, his parents, 3 sisters and 4 brothers.

Source: Trout Funeral Home