Joe Buck Strong, of Nacogdoches, completed his earthly journey Wednesday, May 30, 2018. He was born to William Thomas Strong and his wife, Era Pullen Strong, in the Pine Hill community of Garrison on May 31, 1924. After graduating from Garrison High School, he worked primarily for the Austin Bridge Company until entering and serving in the Army during WWII, guarding the Panama Canal. He then came home to East Texas and enrolled at SFASU where he completed a Masters of Education in Vocational Agriculture, and married the love of his life, Vernice Lavon Phillips, also of Garrison, on December 20, 1950. The union was blessed with four children. He spent his entire career teaching Vocational Agriculture at Central Heights ISD from 1950 until retiring in 1983. Thousands of students from CHHS and surrounding area schools knew and loved “Joe Buck,” as he never allowed anyone to call him “Mr. Strong.”
After retiring from teaching, Joe Buck worked part-time in Nacogdoches for Foretravel Motorhomes delivering coaches all over the nation, and for the Coca-Cola Bottling Company as a route supervisor.
He was a faithful member of the Church of Christ for over 60 years, serving the Lord and his brethren as a Deacon, Elder, and Bible Class teacher in congregations in Nacogdoches, Lufkin, and Jacksonville.
He is preceded in death by his parents, and all of his five sisters and one brother, but is survived by his devoted wife of 67+ plus years, Vernice (“Vertie”) Phillips Strong, and four children: Ronna Strong Sparks (and husband, Clell) of Nacogdoches TX; Terry Strong (and wife, Kathy) also of Nacogdoches TX; Karla Strong Kirby (and husband, David) of Dallas; and Philip Strong (and wife, Donna) of Indianapolis, IN; and grandchildren, Jenifer Sparks Beasley, Sheri Sparks Harrington, Ruston Kirby, Stuart Kirby, Trevor Kirby, Seth Kirby, Lindsey Strong Langford, Aaron Strong, Austin Strong, and Logan Strong; as well as 12 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be from 2-4pm, Sunday June 3rd, with Funeral Services on Monday, June 4th at 2pm, at the Cason Monk Metcalf Funeral Home in Nacogdoches. Bro. Warren Miller (Sinton, TX) and Bro. Philip Strong (Indianapolis IN) will be officiating, with congregational singing led by Bro. Nathan Cox (Nacogdoches TX). Everyone is invited to come and share in the celebration of a life well lived with the family of Joe Buck- “Go Blue!”
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be offered to:
SFASU office of Development
PO Box 6092- SFASU Station
Nacogdoches, TX 75962
Memo: Joe Buck Strong Scholarship
sfasu.edu/giving
or
Nacogdoches Treatment Center
1198 Hughes St.
Nacogdoches, TX 75961
Online condolences may be offered at www.casonmonk-metcalf.com Arrangements are under the direction of Cason Monk-Metcalf Funeral Directors.
