Marcus Alan Strong

Marcus Alan Strong, 30, of Forney, Texas, passed away in his home on the evening of November 28, 2015. Marcus was born at 3:55 pm on January 28, 1985, in Dallas. He was the third child and only son of Bethel Gene and Melinda Gail Strong. Marcus, a.k.a. Marc, Marn, Marnus Aurelius and Uncle Marcus, grew up in his hometown of Forney. His two sisters claim he was definitely a mama’s boy who could do no wrong. He denied this charge, accusing Amy and Susan of sibling jealousy. As a young boy, Marcus played baseball, basketball and soccer. He played for the Sting, a select soccer team that traveled throughout the southwest. Marcus started battling his parents in ping pong at an early age, even diving into the piano to save a point. Marcus adored his favorite childhood animal, Max, a pot-bellied pig. He and Max took home the Grand Champion prize at the Texas State Fair. Marcus played football, basketball and tennis in high school, graduating in 2003. He earned an Associates of Applied Science degree in Electrical Systems Technology from Texas State Technical College in 2010. Marcus worked for Shermco Industries from 2008 until his death. Marcus was a field service technician, working on low-, medium-, and high-voltage electrical equipment and obtaining NETA Level II certification. His coworkers described him as having a work ethic second to none. Marcus loved to laugh. He was constantly joking or getting one up on someone. He impersonated Louis Armstrong or Arnold Schwarzenegger upon request. He also loved competition, random facts, silly jokes, history, conspiracy theories, fantasy football with his buddies, steak and seafood, music, video games, risk and adventure, a good challenge, and, recently, travel. Most of all, Marcus loved and cherished his tight-knit family. His Mema and her home-cooking meant so much to him. He appreciated his mom’s many sacrifices and mother-son love, and he knew his dad always had his back. He relished in his role as a protective brother to his beloved sisters. He enjoyed spending time with cousins Tommy, Sana, and Kemo. In particular, he loved playing with his three nieces, Marlie, Adison, and Jillian. Marcus is preceded in death by grandparents Billy Jay “PaPa” and Doris “Nanny” Strong, Charles “Grandpa” and Dorothy “Mema” Moran. He is survived by his parents Bethel and Gail Strong; aunts Becky Moran and Sherran (Mark) Beckman; uncles Mike (Ruth) Moran and Jay (Vicky) Strong; sisters Amy (Mitch) Leathers and Susan Strong; three nieces and numerous cousins. Memorial services will be Friday, December 4, at 2:00 pm at New Hope Funeral Home in Sunnyvale. Visitation will be Thursday, December 3, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family is welcoming donations to the Marcus Strong Memorial Fund (www.gofundme.com/MarcusAStrong), which will become a scholarship awarded to a student pursuing a similar career path at Texas State Technical College.