James H Strain

He was a graduate of N.C. State University where he earned his bachelor’s degree of Engineering Operations, in 1972. Upon graduation, he spent his life working in the textile industry, moving around the southeast United States, finally settling in Kentucky where he worked for Louisville Bedding for almost 20 years. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Boy Scouts of America. He was a parishioner at St. James Catholic Church where he was a youth minister, lector, and a Eucharistic minister. James enjoyed camping and scouting with the Boy Scouts. He also enjoyed working on cars, taking Sunday drives with his family, enjoyed a good road trip, and he loved to eat out with friends, supporting local eateries in Elizabethtown.

He is preceded in death by his parents, John Lee and Therese Marie Steinman Strain and one brother, John Glen Strain.

James is survived by his wife of 54 years, Susan Mary Beverage Strain; two sons, James Victor and John Patrick (Devon) Strain; one daughter, Michelle (Gabriel) DeBacker; nine grandchildren, Catherine, Owen, and Bridgette (Joshua) Porter, Abigail, Madison, Gabriella, Elizabeth, Michael, and Dorothy Strain; one great grandchild, Henry Porter; three sisters, Rose Curl, Jo Ann Cox and Joyce Meadows; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A Funeral Mass will be 11 a.m. Friday, February 21, at St. James Catholic Church of Elizabethtown with Reverend Chuck Walker officiating.

Visitation will be at Brown Funeral Home on Thursday, February 20, from 5 – 8 p.m. with a prayer vigil starting at 7 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to a local charity of your choice.