John Strong

Canton-John D. ''Jack'' Strong, age 85, loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather died at home on April 8, 2004.

Mr. Strong, the son of the late Walter and Charlotte (McLaughlin) Strong was born in Niagara Falls, New York. Raised in Buffalo, NY, he graduated from Canisius College, Buffalo, NY with a degree in Business Administration. He lived in Atlanta, Asheville, York, PA with his wife and children before settling in Waynesville in 1968. He retired from his position as plant manager at White Shield Textile Industries in Cherokee in 1982.

Mr. Strong was an active parishioner of St. John's Catholic Church in Waynesville, serving in several leadership roles in the parish council and as a Eucharistic Minister and a Minister of Communion for the homebound. He was also active in the Boy Scouts of America, having organized and led the first Catholic Boy Scout Troop (111) in Western North Carolina, served as a Grand Master of the Knights of Columbus, and as a volunteer with the American Red Cross.

Mr. Strong was a civic leader in Haywood County, serving the community in a number of ways. After his retirement, he was the Executive Director and then Board member of the Haywood County Hospice and was instrumental in the Hospice receiving certification. After he completed his administrative responsibilities, he continued to contribute as a Hospice volunteer, personally assisting fifty patients and their families over the years. Mr. Strong went on to serve as the Director and then volunteer for the United Way of Haywood County. He was an active member of the Waynesville Rotary Club with 20 years perfect attendance. He was honored by being named a Paul Harris Fellow and by being recognized as ''Citizen of the Year'' in 1987.

Mr. Strong enjoyed the game of golf, both as a player and spectator and was key to the success of a number of the Rotary Club's golf tournaments. Since his youth, he was an avid baseball fan and organized and coached both adult and youth league teams. He particularly enjoyed following the scholastic, athletic, and career exploits of his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He and his wife enjoyed meeting and hosting foreign visitors to Haywood County. One of their favorite memories was a trip several years ago to their ancestral Ireland.

Survivors include Jean Hastings Strong, his wife of 64 years; six children, Carole Metzger of Baltimore, MD; Michael Strong and his wife, Marjorie, of York, PA; Christine Vinh and her husband, Dr. Vien Vinh, of Arlington, VA; Matthew Strong and his wife, Mary Beth, of Chesapeake, VA; Julie Read and her husband, Tod, of Falls Church, VA; and Jane Law and her husband, Gary, of Greensboro, NC. Jack is also survived by 13 grandchildren and three great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by three children, Ann, Mark, and Martin and his two sisters, Marion and Charlotte.

The family will receive friends at Wells Funeral Home in Waynesville from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. followed by a Memorial Service at 7:00 p.m. in the chapel on Friday, April 16, 2004. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Saint Margaret's Catholic Church, Maggie Valley, at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 17, 2004 with Father Dennis McGowan and Father Frank Doyle officiating. A private interment will follow at Calvary Episcopal Churchyard in Fletcher, NC.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorial contributions be made to the John ''Jack'' Strong Hospice Educational Fund in care of the Haywood Regional Medical Center Hospice, 560 Leroy George Drive, Clyde, NC 28721, or your favorite charity. The fund has been established by the family to assist in the training of Hospice volunteers. As a tribute to his life of service, memorials may also be made by doing a good deed for someone in need.

Previous Events