Vivian J. Strange, of De Soto, TX passed away on July 3, 2024 at the age of 88. After struggling with dementia for several years, she shed her earthly pain and made a graceful exit at Brookdale Oak Hollow surrounded by her loved ones.
Vivian was born in Irving, TX on April 26, 1936. Born to parents Mabel and Daniel Campbell, she was the eldest of 4 children. She grew up in Irving, TX until age 12 when her family moved to Oak Cliff. She went to Greiner Jr. High, and then Sunset High School till 1954. As a girl she enjoyed roller skating, playing paper dolls with her girlfriends, and enjoyed listening to the radio after supper and playing games. Her Daddy’s jokes and funny songs at bedtime were her fondest childhood memories.
As a young woman, Vivian married twice. She had 5 beautiful children Debbie, Brenda, Danny. Sharon and Sandra “Sandy”. Vivian moved around a lot but eventually moved back and settled in Oak Cliff, Texas around 1966.
Vivian worked at her family’s business, Campbell Engraving Company, in Dallas for many years. She worked in the pressroom until she had an accident and damaged two of her fingers, after that she ran the office while raising 4 kids on her own. Vivian was a very good bowler and she enjoyed league bowling for many years at the Bronco Bowl on Fort Worth Ave in Oak Cliff. She won many trophies and also appeared on the TV show Bowling for Dollars.
In 1981, Vivian reconnected with her soul mate, Paul Strange. They married in 1983 and built their forever home in DeSoto, TX. Vivian and Paul shared many interests together and traveling was one of them. They both retired at age 62 and loved going on cruises all over the place. When they were not traveling by sea, they were either at the Casinos, Car Shows or the Kountry Klub. They enjoyed dancing together every Saturday night at the Western Kountry Klub in Midlothian, TX which was basically their 2nd home.
Vivian was a great mother, wife, daughter, sister, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend. She was beautiful on the inside and out. She was always the prettiest mom at her children’s schools and was often compared to Mary Tyler Moore. Family gatherings at her house on holidays or special celebrations were always something everyone looked forward to. Her banana pudding recipe was legendary! She was everyone’s “mom” until the very end. Always so kind, caring and giving.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Paul Strange, her parents, Daniel and Mabel Campbell, her sister Dana
Lancaster, her son Danny Strange, and her daughters Brenda Strange, Sharon Lewis and Sandra Harper.
Vivian is survived by her daughter, Debbie Owen. Step children Paula Lamay, Timothy Strange, Shelly Decker, Kathleen
Brandon, Steven Strange and their spouses. Grandchildren Erica, Jessica, Daniel, Amber, Samuel, Katie, Casey, Chase and
their spouses. Great grandchildren Lillian, Landon, Merrick, Everly, Ensley, and Carter.
A memorial service will be held on July 15, 2024 at 2pm at the Laurel Land Funeral Home 6300 S R L Thornton Frwy,
Dallas, TX 75232. A Celebration of Life Gathering will follow the graveside service, in the Reception Room at Laurel Land.
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