Lawrence J Strassle

Lawrence John Strassle of Fort Smith, Arkansas passed away May 1, 2014. He was born September 8, 1931 in Bigelow, Arkansas to Charles Anthony and Mary Elizabeth Strassle. He is survived by his loving wife, Gwendolyn, children Larry Strassle, Tina Gilliland, Gina Jennings and Zoe Dopp and their families. He is also survived by 12 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. His surviving siblings are Carl, George and Eugene Strassle, Wilma Jean Maddox, Mary Ann Hight and Charlsie Palladino. He was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings Josephine Kristofik, and Conrad and Anthony Strassle. Lawrence served in the military for 20 years, 3 of those in the United States Marine Corps and 17years in the United States Air Force. While in the Marine Corps, he reached the rank of Sergeant. He served in Korea during the Korean Conflict and was awarded the Korean Service Medal with 3 stars, United Nations Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, and the national Defense Medal. After serving in Korea, he was a member of a regimental Combat team that trained in Hawaii. He also participated in an Atomic Bomb Test at the Atomic Energy Proving grounds in camp Desert Rock, Nevada. During his service in the Air Force, he reached the rank of Master Sergeant and was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, the good Conduct Medal with 2 bronze loops, Airman of the month, and the Air Force Longevity service Award Ribbon with 2 bronze oak leaf clusters. He was also commended for his emergency response leadership after a tornado damaged an area near Selfridge Air Force base in Michigan. After retiring from the military, Lawrence worked for Rheem Manufacturing and was able to provide college educations for his four children. In his younger years, he attended the nationally renowned Rogers Hornsby’s Baseball School in Hot Springs, Arkansas. He also played baseball in the St. Louis Cardinals minor league organization. He then worked for Rock Island railroad, before joining the Marine Corps. He was an avid Arkansas razorback fan and loved the game of baseball. He will be laid to rest at the Fort Smith National cemetery with full United States Air Force Honors on June 9, 2014 at 12:00pm. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation, 909 North Washington Street, Suite 400, Alexandria, Virginia 22314.