Earl Strong

Earl Strong, beloved husband, father, and Christian, departed this earthly life to be with His Heavenly Father on Tuesday, March 17, 2009.Born in Ranger, Texas on December 13, 1922, Earl was the son of Houston and Sarena Strong. He completed three years of college and married Dorothy Shinn in 1945 in Breckenridge, Texas. They had three children, Vicki, Susan, and Bill, and were married for 37 years before her death in 1982.Earl had an outstanding career as a pilot in the United States Air Force from 1942-1963. He was a Command Pilot and served honorably as a B-24 pilot or co-pilot in World War II in the 8th Air Force. He flew 25 combat missions over Germany, France, and the Netherlands without ever losing a single crew member. He was extremely proud of the latter. He served as a pilot in the Korean War and earned the Distinguished Flying Cross Air Medal with three oak clusters, as well as numerous ribbons and medals for his dedicated and brave service to his country. He also flew weather recon and photomapping missions, and he was a squadron commander in OSI. He was stationed in a myriad of locations, including Japan, Guam, and Colombia, South America. In the United States, he was stationed in Georgia, Texas, Ohio, Florida, and Maryland.After his retirement from the Air Force in 1963, he pursued a career as an air traffic controller with the Federal Aviation Administration, from which he retired after 20 years of service.In 1984, Earl was once again blessed to meet a wonderful woman, Margaret Peterson of Stuart, Florida. They were married in 1985, and lived happily together until his death.Earl was a God-fearing man. He was a compassionate and loving gentleman who adored his wife, his children, his church, and his life.His survived by his wife of24 years, Margaret. Also his children, Vicki New and her husband, James Robert, of Kyle, Texas; Susan Morgenstern and her husband, Ron, of Hendersonville, Tennessee; and Bill Strong and his wife, Julie, of Austin, Texas.He is also survived by his step-children, Diane Peterson of Virginia Beach, Virginia; Kathryn Wahl of Lincoln Park, Michigan; Eric Peterson and his wife, Allison, of Virginia Beach, Virginia; and Cheri Pless and her husband, John, of Cloud land, Georgia.Between Earl and Margaret's families, he is survived by 11 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.Earl is also survived by his sister, Maxine Newton, of Dublin, Texas. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Houston and Boyce, and his sister, Mary Helen.Visitation will be from 6-8 PM on Friday, March 20 at Baum-Carlock-Bumgardner Funeral Home in Mineral Wells. Services will be at St. Mark Lutheran Church in Mineral Wells at 10 AM on Saturday, March 21. Military honors and burial will follow at Woodland Park Cemetery in Mineral Wells.Donations may be made to St. Mark Lutheran Church in Mineral Wells.