Just recently heard of John’s passing. Being one of his Texas IT friends and knowing he will be missed by many.   John’s love of animals was heartfelt. He  was always kind and considerate. Being a very social person, he enjoyed company and entertaining often.   May he Rest In Peace and May God bless. 

Going to miss you. 50+years of friendship. Rest in peace, see you on the other side.

Dear Zach, so sad to read about your dad.   It made me think about all the times I would attempt to drop Jake off without having an encounter with Chopper!    Those years at Midway were the best.  So touched by the families request to donate to the World Bird Sanctuary.   I have been there many times with Betsy and her son, Reid.  Reid is only 5 now but knows more about birds than most due to the many trips to the sanctuary.    Take care Zach.....hugs from your Midway family.   Jill Baxter

I will love you forever and miss you always.

So yes, I'll share some memories of John too working in the Information Technology Department at Boone County.  John was definitely the jokester in IT.  One morning he and I decided to defrost our department refrigerator.  We pulled it out and there was a clump of dust which I thought was a mouse and screamed.  Well I should have never done that in front of John.  Days ahead there were fake mice on fishing line crossing my path and fake spiders falling from my desk hutch.  All ending with my scream.  John did keep us well fed too.  His desk hutch looked like Casey's with any type of snack you could imagine.  It is very hard to believe his gone and will be missed by many.  Thinking of you Zach, Mindy, and family.

I also met John working in the Information Technology Department at Boone County where I worked with John for seven years. I can concur that John loved to rock out to music while programming. It wasn't long after I started when I heard the finger drumming and beatboxing coming from his cubicle! He introduced me to the terminology of "shooting data across" to a different system and was instrumental in helping me understand the data files associated with revamping on online filing system for personal property declarations. John was an audiophile and once burned his Rush collection to CD for me when it came up in conversation. He always kept up with my band and came to see us when we played in Columbia.  I work on election nights and when John knew I'd be at my desk he'd call up and check on me to see how the night was going. It's hard to believe he's gone to the great gig in the sky.

I met John back in 2001 when he was hired as a fellow programmer in the Boone County I.T. Dept.  We quickly became friends and made so many memories over the last 19 years that I don't even know where to begin.  John loved food and music and he often shared both with me.  He would make snacks and mixed music CD's and would bring both into the office and convince me to eat deviled eggs or hot wings at 8:30 in the morning or listen to some "oldies" like Wham and Hall and Oats.  He liked to tap on his desk to the beat of the music so we always knew when he was listening to something.  John also had a passion for birds and other creatures.  I always enjoyed going over to his house (and often bringing kids and friends) to see a new exotic creature (snakes, lizards, scorpions, poisonous toads) or play with his birds and listen to them say funny things.  Once John brought in a tape recording of his birds talking and I listened to it for an hour before asking him when the birds were going to talk.  He explained that I was listening to the birds - they just sounded identical to John so I didn't know the difference!  After his retirement, we stayed in touch and often went to lunch or gathered at his house for drinks and snacks.  He was always happy to hear from me and excited to fill me in on the latest with Zach and Mindy and the grandkids.  I can't believe he's gone.  I miss him so much already.
Zach and Mindy - I'm sure you know you can reach out to me for anything at any time so please don't hesitate.  Keeping you and the whole Strom family in my thoughts and prayers.

John was one of my Dad's greatest friends. I don't have too many personal memories of John but always thought of him as a kind, good-hearted person. One memory from my childhood was when my Dad stopped by John's house one day and we went inside to look around at all the "cool stuff" John had in his house. I was fascinated at all the plants and animals John had and he ended up letting me take a pair of sunglasses home. I wish I could be there to pay my respects to my Dad's friend...My condolences to John's family. 

I saw John a year ago, over lunch at d rowe's.  He was so much fun. Hadn't seen him since high school,  Hickman class of 1972. I used to double date with him and vicky peacher in High school.  The only time I got sent to detention was when the three of us skipped classes one afternoon.  We had fun but I was so embarrassed that I got caught and had to go to detention.  When I saw John last year he looked like pernell roberts from trapper John TV show.  Handsome.  Witty.  Lovely to be with.  Followed him on Facebook.  Was going to wish him a Facebook birthday when I got home later today.  Gonna miss you, John. 

I knew John for 50 years.  We called him Birdman. He introduced my brother, Dale Chrisman to the woman he married, Sherri. He was one of my brother's best buddies. He was never down...always full of laughter..When my brother was passing, John was the first at the hospital, making bird noises, trying to lighten us up. You will be missed, Birdman..      Rest in peace, my friend, rest in peace....


OBITUARY

John Howard Strom

July 3, 1953 – June 29, 2020

Memorial Funeral Home, Crematory & Memorial Park Cemetery/Columbia

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