Thomas Strong

Thomas D. Strong, of Springville, passed away Saturday, December 11, 2010 after many medical complications. Tommy was born in Birmingham, AL on August 12, 1936. In 1954 he began dating the love of his life, his boo-bear, Jo McClendon. He attended the University of Alabama, majoring in Business Administration. After doing so, he married Jo in 1958. At the time Tom was working at The Birmingham News. He started there at age 15 as a copy-boy and made his way up to Advertising Account Executive, working a total of 45 years at The News. Being a man of hard work, he won numerous awards for surpassing quota in his job. Along with his job at The News he served in the Air National Guard in the 117th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing and coached football and baseball in Center Point, where he also was the President of the Center Point Ball Park Association. And after he and his wife moved to Springville, he became President of the Woodland Hills Neighborhood Association. He was also a member of First Baptist Church Springville. Tommy is survived by his two favorite ladies: his wife, Jo Strong and his granddaughter, Anastasia Strong; his two sons, Don Strong and Mike Strong, and Mike's wife Vickie Strong, as well as multiple friends and family.

He is preceded in death by his beloved father and mother, Thomas W. Strong and Amanda Malilla Traylor-Strong, his two brothers, Lane and Paul Strong, and also a host of nieces and nephews. Much thanks and love goes out to all of the medical staff that cared for Tom over the years, especially Dr. Shaily Lakhanpal. Visitation will be at 1:00 PM, Tuesday, December 14, 2010 and services will be held at 2:00 on the same date at Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home. Services will be conducted by Dr. Keith Wreen, pastor of First Baptist Church Springville. Mr. Strong's pallbearers will be John Coyne, Charles McClendon, Dennis Rich, Mike Wilcutt, James Headley, and Orvis Johns. Honorary pallbearers will be Ray Posey and Charles Crenshaw. Tom will forever be in the hearts of the people he has touched with his friendship, kindness, and sincerity. Jefferson Memorial Trussville directing.