Richard Harvell Strozier

Richard Harvell Strozier, 85, of Conroe, was born August 20th in Houston, Texas. He died peacefully at home on January 25th after a valiant and brave three year battle with cancer and other complications. The youngest of three boys, Richard grew up on a 21 acre farm located in between Willis and Conroe, Texas. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1949, serving aboard the USS Boxer aircraft carrier during the Korean conflict. From 1953-1957, he was assigned to duty at the Pentagon under the Chief of Naval Operations. During his 21 year career in the Navy, he served on the USS Essex, the USS Lamar and the USS O’Bannon during Vietnam. He retired as a Chief Petty Officer in 1970. Richard and family settled in Conroe, Texas after his retirement and he worked as a chemical operator for Texaco the next 18 years. In his younger days Richard was an avid hunter and fisherman. He had the utmost respect for animals and the environment and one year rescued what became a pet squirrel that traveled with him on his shoulder. He was kind and humorous, good to a fault, and will be forever missed. Richard was preceded in death by his mother, Nora Inglis Strozier, his father Clarence “Major” Strozier, and beloved brother Herbert “Salty” Strozier. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Ruth, his two daughters, Vicki Jordan and Stacey Herring (husband Richard Herring), brother A.B. Strozier and his wife Betty Jo, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Grandpa Richard shared a special bond with his two grandchildren, Brad Herring and Jane Elizabeth Harrison (husband Bryan Harrison). He felt so blessed to witness the birth of his first great grandchild, Ava Estelle Harrison. The Strozier family would like to extend a warm thank you to all the friends, relatives, and home health care workers who comforted Richard and helped the family in so many ways during his last few weeks. Special thanks go to cousin Kelly Welch and niece Terri Strozier. A memorial service and reception will be held Saturday, February 4 at 10:00, at Metcalf Funeral Home in Conroe. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Montgomery County Library.