Location: V-Eichelberger

Born: November 20, 1904 Mooresville, Texas

Died: October 15, 1996 Waco, McLennan County, Texas

Son of Joseph Alexander “Alex” and Beulah Smith Strahan

Parents:
Joseph Alexander Strahan (1881 – 1960)
Beulah Smith Strahan (1880 – 1926)

Spouses:
Mary Killgore Strahan (1904 – 1980)
Syble Bryant Strahan (1906 – 1962)
Olivia I Kilgore Strahan (1903 – 1988)

Clarence Thomas Strahan, age 91, of Waco, died Tuesday, October 15, 1996.  He was born November 18, 1905, in Mooresville, Texas, to Joseph Alexander and Beulah (Smith) Strahan.  He attended schools at Levi and Waco and entered the Army Air Corp at age 17.  He married Syble Bryant of Temple in 1929 and had one son Clarence Thomas Jr.  Clarence Sr. was a World War II veteran and served more than 30 years with the Air Force, retiring at Pete Field in Colorado Springs, Colorado.  He served 14 years in civil service at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs.  Clarence was stationed in many places during his 30 years, including Alaska, but settled in Colorado Springs.  Everyone who knew Clarence enjoyed the tales of his military career, especially his “flight” with Lindburg.

Clarence was very active in several lodges in Montana, Colorado and Texas.  He was a lifetime member of the V. F. W. , receiving his 50-year pin in 1993.  He also belonged to the American Legion, was a 32nd degree Mason and an active Shriner.

He moved to Waco in the 1980’s and married Carrie Lee Hill in 1989.  He is preceded in death by his mother and father, first wife, Syble; and grandson, Eric.

Clarence is survived by his wife of seven years, Carrie L. Strahan; son, Clarence Thomas Jr. and wife Elizabeth Ann, of Fort Collins, Colorado; step-daughters, Modell Tabor of Austin and Jean Stone and husband, Grady, of Murfreesboro, Arkansas; step-sons, Raymond Hill and wife, Mae, of Seadrift, Texas, and Lee Hill and wife, Terry, of  Murfreesboro, Arkansas; half sister, Georgia Mary House of Alabama; grandchildren, Mark Strahan and wife, Kelly, of Oregon, Lief Strahan and wife, Deena, of Colorado, and Lizette Johnson and husband, Brad, of Colorado; 25 step-grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Graveside services at 2:30 p.m. Friday, October 18, 1996, at China Spring Cemetery, with Waco Masonic Lodge #92 and the U. S. Air Force conducting services.