John Strayer

John Seese Strayer, 73, dearly loved husband, father and grandfather passed away Saturday, Aug 15, 2009. FUNERAL: Saturday Aug 22 Visitation: 2 pm, Services: 2:30pm at New Hope Funeral Home in Sunnyvale, Texas. MEMORIALS: Johns wish is that the Doctors, Nurses and Nurses Aids at Texas Hospice of Fort Worth would receive special recognition for their integrity in caring for the patients. Several times he was overjoyed by the amount of attention he was receiving. Everyone made John feel safe and treated him with tender dignity and loving respect. John was born Feb 4, 1936, in Windber, Pennsylvania and lived in Garland, Texas for 20 years before retiring to his farm in Terrell, Texas. He graduated from Johnstown High School in 1955. While in his early years, Johns parents owned and operated Skateland Roller Rink In Johnstown, PA. He fell in love with roller skating and was known for his silky smooth dance style. He quickly earned the nick name Twinkle Toes. Johns dedication to competitive Speed Skating earned him First Place in the 1949 Juvenile Boys Roller Skating Championships. Several years later, during one of the all-day skating sessions, John was introduced to a beautiful young roller skater named Rita. Shortly after John joined the military in 1957 they were married in Orlando, Florida where he was stationed. John proudly served in the United States Air Force. Eventually they moved to Texas where he became owner and operator of Strayers Office Machines in Garland, Texas. John loved to be involved with his family and neighborhood. He was voted President of the neighborhood homeowners association. John and Rita managed the neighborhood swimming pool. When not taking care of the pool they would organize and participate in many of the neighborhood events. Johns tricks and smooth skating on roller skates was always a big favorite at the 4th of July parades. In the late 1970s, John ran for City Council for the city of Garland, coached his sons Junior high school basketball team and his daughters softball team. He also enjoyed tinkering with ideas and invented several items: a double headed thumbtack; a small compact device that sat on the existing roll of paper of a calculator/adding machine and as the machine was operated, it would automatically rewind the used paper into a new roll with the unused back side of the paper facing up ready to use, effectively cutting the cost for paper rolls in half; and most recently a salon rinse bowl pad that attaches to the bowl and cushions the back of the neck when youre resting your head in the rinse bowl as you get your hair washed. John retired to his farm in Kaufman County in 1980 after his children graduated from high school, where they lived for 27 ½ years before moving to Azle last February. John and Rita enjoyed the farm life. He raised cattle for several years and enjoyed various hobbies. He loved playing billiards, flying, his German Shepherd dogs, and riding horses. John was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth D. Strayer in 1979 and Christianna Beener Strayer in 1986 and granddaughter Kelly in 1980. SURVIVORS: His heart light Rita, wife of 52 years, son John Jr, daughter Kim, granddaughter Jennifer, grandson Aron, greatgrandsons Matthew and Chase, and great granddaughter Trinity, as well as 4 brothers, 2 sisters and several nieces and nephews. New Hope Funeral Home 500 E. Hwy 80 Sunnyvale, TX 75182 View and sign guestbook at www.newhopefh.com / obituaries / john strayer