Jeffrey Jared Straub passed away Saturday, March 6, 2021, at his home, at the age of 60, of natural causes due to heart disease. A memorial service celebrating his life will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, March 20, at First Baptist Church, Temple, with Pastor Jeff Ripple of Christ Fellowship Church, Taylor, officiating, under the direction of Scanio-Harper Funeral Home. Inurnment will follow at McGregor Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6:00-8:00 p.m., Friday, March 19, at Scanio-Harper Funeral Home, Temple, TX.
Jeff was born June 14, 1960, in Woodbury, NJ, the son of the late Rae Winkler and the late Jerome Hoffman. He graduated from Atlantic City High School in 1978. Upon graduating high school, he played music professionally, touring the country with the country western band Freewheeling. He settled in Temple in 1980, and then formed the contemporary Christian duo, Sent, with a church friend. Jeff joined the Temple Police Department in 1982 and rose through the ranks to become a division commander, overseeing criminal investigations and support services. He also served in hostage negotiations.
He graduated from the FBI National Academy in 1994.
Jeff left Temple PD in 1997 to serve as McGregor’s police chief until 1999. He went on to serve as Taylor’s police chief from 1999-2010, before becoming Taylor’s assistant city manager in 2010, and eventually serving as Taylor’s interim city manager in 2013, where he particularly enjoyed working on economic development. He has been Troy’s city administrator since September 2014. He received a Master of Arts degree, Magna Cum Laude, from Liberty Theological Seminary in December of 2008. He received an Executive Certificate in Leadership & Management from the University of Notre Dame, Mendoza College of Business, in September 2011. Jeff was a consummate professional and was a much loved and respected leader no matter where he served or in what capacity.
As a man of faith, he was instrumental in establishing the Police Chaplain program at the Taylor Police Department.
Jeff also had a successful voice-over business and an avid love of music, playing the bass guitar for several local area bands throughout the years.
He also had a deep love and passion for animals and was instrumental in converting the Taylor Animal Shelter into a no-kill animal shelter during his tenure at the City of Taylor, an accomplishment for which he was particularly proud.
He loved sports and was an avid fan of the Dallas Cowboys and the Texas Rangers. He also enjoyed playing fantasy football.
Jeff is survived by his fiancée, Donna Buck of McGregor, daughter, Rachel Straub and grandson, Kaleb, of Temple, son, Jared Straub of Austin, brother, Max Straub of Mt. Juliet, TN, and nephews, Austin Straub and Daniel Straub, of Lancaster, CA, and his 3 beloved cats.
In lieu of flowers, the family has suggested memorials be made to The City of Troy, 201 E. Main St, Troy, TX 76579, the Taylor Police Department, or the Taylor Animal Shelter, c/o the City of Taylor, 400 Porter Street, Taylor, TX 76574, specifying preference of the police department, animal shelter, or percentage to each, or the Temple Police Department, 209 E. Avenue A, Temple, TX 76501.
