Clyde Strong
Age - 95
December 5, 2023
In memory of my dad, Clyde B. Strong, by Lloyd StrongThey don't make 'em like him anymore. Clyde Buford Strong was truly strong in every sense of the word -- mind, body and spirit, and now we are leaning on that strength he taught us as we deal with the loss of our family patriarch. He left a legacy as an amazing husband to Juanita, father to Clyde Jr. , Charlotte and myself, grandfather and great-grandfather. He was a fixer. From our problems to our cars, we took them to dad, and there was never a doubt that if they could be fixed, they would be. He once rebuilt my Monte Carlo vehicle from the shell up after it completely burned in a mechanical fire. CB, as he was known to many, was born in a boxcar and was an adventurer his whole life, once hitchhiking from Gulfport, Miss. , to Illinois and back after high school for a summer job. His childhood was extremely difficult, and he and his four brothers were often left to scrounge for food in trash cans or wherever they could find a scrap. Because he was an underdog from the start, dad became a champion for underdogs as a coach and a high school principal for more than 40 years. He had a passion for helping those who needed it the most, and he loved the many visits from former students and colleagues that continued until his passing. Dad went from foster home to foster home until he was 9 years old when he found a permanent home with Walter and Gladys Rutt in Orange Grove, Miss. He was so thankful for his new family, along with stepbrother Herman, that helped transform his life. It was then, in third grade, that he met the love of his life, Juanita Belle. Mom always says that when she saw him walk into her third-grade class, she knew he was the one for her. She was impressed by his toughness, which he displayed by getting into a fight behind the barn at her birthday party soon after they met. They grew up together and married on July 7, 1951. They were inseparable, and their love for one another was and is still, an inspiration for all in our family. Buford was unable to read or write when he got to Orange Grove and tried the patience of his teachers until he was able to catch up with his peers. He once was placed in the coat closet as a punishment, and instead of seeing it as a bad thing, he enjoyed sampling the lunches kept there by his fellow students. Clyde became a basketball star in high school and was known for his sharp-shooting and jumping ability, averaging more than 30 points per game. He and Juanita graduated high school and attended college together in Goshen, Indiana. He earned his undergraduate degree from Southern Miss University, where he played basketball as well. Later, he received his Master's degree from McMurry University in Abilene, Texas. Clyde and Juanita were married at Nugent Methodist Church in Gulfport. He coached football and basketball and she taught school in the small town of Lyman, Miss. , until they embarked on their next adventure. In 1957, dad heard that the pay for educators was much better in Texas than Mississippi, and a friend told him of a job possibility in the tiny town of Wellman, Texas. Without batting an eye, dad loaded up their belongings on a trailer and drove the 1,000 miles to Wellman with Clyde Jr. , Charlotte and mom in tow. When he got to Wellman, it was late in the evening and the office was full of coaching applicants. He put the family in a motel and waited his turn. Around 2:30 in the morning, he was interviewed. Afterward, the board asked him what his plans were. He said that depended on them. If he was hired, he would start house hunting, if not, he was headed back to Mississippi. He was hired on the spot. After a few years coaching basketball and 8-man football in Wellman, he was hired to coach at a small school called Frenship in Wolfforth, Texas. After getting his master's degree, dad was offered the principal's job at the high school. And the rest is history. He found his calling and served as principal until he retired in May 1992. He had a unique style of discipline and tough love that undoubtedly stemmed from his upbringing. He loved the students and was loved back by most, including the ones he saw the most in his office. He had a passion for offering students advice, strength and support and loved seeing and hearing about the successes of the many that kept in touch. After retiring, mom and dad went on a cruise to Hawaii that was a gift from their school colleagues. It was one of the highlights of their travels. They also cruised to the Bahamas a few years later. Dad loved to work on cars, and after retirement it was one of his favorite hobbies. He did most of his work at a shop he purchased near the Wolfforth house. He often joked that he made more money fixing cars than he did as a principal. Another joy of his was gardening. He enjoyed spending time outdoors with the plants and sharing his bounty with one and all. Dad was an avid hunter and fisherman and traveled wherever he could to fuel that passion. Our family enjoyed summer vacations to New Mexico and Colorado, where he, my brother and I fished for trout. He and my brother caught sole off the coast of Washington during another trip. Some of dad's favorite adventures were catching salmon in Alaska and redfish in Louisiana with Clyde Jr. We also fished the Gulf of Mexico during summer vacations nearly every year when we were growing up. He was a charter member of the Fish-o-rama club that included many coaches, friends and family. They developed a strong bond through annual fishing trips and gatherings throughout the years. Dad fished many of the lakes in Texas with his good buddies and especially enjoyed spending time with his son-in-law, Mark Schneider, on angling trips. And then there was the pond. One of dad's most cherished accomplishments was building a catfish pond on the property he bought from the Rutts in Orange Grove. He spent uncountable hours there every summer, fishing, feeding the fish and just contemplating life. The property was kept up by our second family, Troy and Joanna Farris. Their five children grew up there and loved spending precious hours at the pond with their "adopted" grandpa and grandma. Having the Farrises on the property was invaluable, both for the work Troy and Joanna did to keep everything going while dad was away, but also for the close bond that developed between our two families. The pond and the property were a focal point for our family. We took summer vacations there every year while growing up, and the trips continued after we were grown and had children of our own. Dad loved going back with all of us and developed cherished memories with the grandchildren "down at the pond. " From shrimp boils to catfish fries to simply hanging out, those trips will never be forgotten. Mom and dad loved to celebrate Christmas and Thanksgiving with the family. He had a tradition of smoking turkeys every year, and the family gatherings were grand. Many years we were able to have the entire clan, all the way down to the great-grandchildren, in attendance. Dad reveled in the love and chaos that ensued. He especially loved daughter-in-law Sandra's homemade pecan pies, made from Juanita's recipe. He loved to have fun but always believed in hard work. He had quite an array of jobs in his life, including part owner of a ranch in DeLeon, Texas, and a cafe in Wolfforth. Prior to becoming an educator, he was a sewing machine salesman and worked in a turkey processing plant, fish hatchery and a flower shop, among other jobs. The last years were tough dealing with dad's failing health and mom's dementia, but the caregiving by his daughter, Charlotte, the apple of his eye, and daughter-in-law Paula, was amazing and helped us see it through to the end. Dad remained strong in mind and spirit and was extremely thankful knowing that Juanita will be in good hands. Dad came into this world as a long-shot and left as a champion. He will be missed dearly and loved always. Please remember dad by one of his favorite sayings: "The secret to life is love. "Clyde Buford Strong was born July 25,1928, in Jennings, Ark. He died November 28, 2023, in Lubbock, Texas. He is survived by his beloved wife, Juanita Belle; son Clyde Jr. and his wife, Sandra; daughter Charlotte Schneider and her husband, Mark; son Lloyd and his wife, Paula; five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Special thanks to Wolfforth United Methodist church for their love and prayers. The following are organizations that our father supported or had special meaning to him. Please consider them if you would like to make a donation in his name. Hospice of the South Plains - 4413 82nd St. #135, Lubbock, TX 79424Cal Farley's Boys' Ranch - 600 SW 11th Ave. , Amarillo, TX 79101-3228Stillcreek Ranch, 6055 Hearne Road, Bryan, TX 77808, stillcreekranch. orgRelevant Ministry - 15385 Lakeview Court, Gulfport, MS 39503VFW Foundation - 406 West 34th St. , Ste 920, Kansas City, MO 64111St. Jude Children's Research Hospital - Children's Cancer Research Fund / 7301 Ohms Lane, Ste. 355, Minneapolis, MN 55439A celebration of life is planned at a later date. Cremation is under the direction of House of Angels Funeral Home. Show more
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