George William Strake, Jr.

George William Strake, Jr., a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle, friend, businessman and philanthropist, passed away peacefully on Friday, the 9th of February 2024, at the age of 88. George had many titles throughout his life. His children would say his devotion to his faith and to their mother were two of his greatest titles.

George was a devout Christian who cherished his Catholic faith, his family and most of all his beloved wife of almost 65 years, Annette, who preceded him in death just two and a half months prior. Their love and commitment to one another has been their greatest gift to their six children, their spouses, their 17 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren, as well as the entire Houston community.

George, a third generation Texan, was an honest and fair businessman and politician born in Houston, Texas, on the 10th of June 1935, to Susan Kehoe Strake and George W. Strake, Sr. He proudly attended St. Thomas High School as an honor roll student. He attended the University of Notre Dame where he was elected Senior Class President.

George married the love of his life on the 10th of January 1959. With his signature charm, every year on their anniversary he would lovingly say, “This is the longest I have ever liked a girl!” Their love for one another was rooted in their faith and evident to all who knew them.

George served two years as a commissioned United States Naval Officer and received an MBA from Harvard University. Upon returning to Texas, he began his career as an independent oil operator. He honorably served as President of the Strake Foundation and has been active in politics since 1961. George believed strongly in God and Country. He was appointed as Texas Secretary of State in 1979 and was later elected Chairman of the Republican Party of Texas from 1983 to 1988.

George is credited with many philanthropic contributions to countless charities in the Houston area and around the world. He served as a board member of numerous organizations, including, Rotary Club of Houston, The C Club, of which he was a founding member, Boy Scouts of America, Albert & Ethel Herzstein Foundation, University of St. Thomas, San Jacinto Museum of History and many, many more. He was recognized and awarded with countless accolades throughout his life; most proudly, in 1988, as one of Community Partners “Fathers of the Year.” In 1993, both George and Annette were named Houstonians of the Year by The Center for Hearing and Speech.

His grandchildren, to whom he was affectionately known as “Dadaddy,” have infinite memories to cherish but one of his most adored was his sense of humor and his “non-smiling” belly laugh. George (and Annette’s) legacy is far reaching and their gift to their family is that of the greatest love story they have ever known.

He was known for so many affable qualities. In addition to his hilarious sense of humor was his service to God and his country as well as his charitable heart. He was kind and giving and full of life and love. He loved spending time with his children at the ranch, on family vacations and he and Annette loved their life together traveling with family and friends. His faith and love for this country and freedom was contagious and admirable. George, along with Annette, forged countless lifetime friendships that brought them immense joy throughout their lives.

George was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Annette; his parents, George William Strake, Sr. and Susan Kehoe Strake; his sisters, Susan Strake Dilworth and Georgana Strake Parsley. He is survived by his loving children, George William “Trey” Strake III and his wife Dana, Stephen DeWalch Strake and his wife Carla, Michele Marie Strake, Melanie Strake Meeks and her husband Mace, Gregory Patrick Strake and his wife Lacey, and Melissa Strake Griffith and her husband Paul; his grandchildren and great-grandchildren; his brother-in-law, Donald Paschal DeWalch and his wife Sally; as well as his numerous nieces and nephews.

The family would like to send a heartfelt thanks to the many friends who have offered prayers of love and support. We extend our unending gratitude to Maria Rodriguez for her 22 years of unconditional love and in memory of Minnie Harris for the 27 years she shared with our family. We also thank his amazing caregivers (Brenda, Dani, Leslie, Ola, Peggy and Stephanie) as well as his hospice nurse, Breanna. We are forever grateful for their dignified and deep personal love and care.

A Mass and Celebration of Life will be conducted at four o’clock in the afternoon on President’s Day, Monday, the 19th of February, in the Reckling Gymnasium at St. Thomas High School, 4500 Memorial Drive in Houston.

Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the nearby Cemo Auditorium of the Moran Fine Arts Building on campus.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions in his name be directed to the Boy Scouts of America, Sam Houston Area Council, Attn.: Travis Briner, 2225 N Loop W., Houston, TX, 77008-1311; to Strake Jesuit College Preparatory, 8900 Bellaire Blvd, Houston, TX, 77036; or to St. Thomas High School, 4500 Memorial Drive, Houston, TX, 77007. Direct access to donation pages for each organization may be obtained by selecting their respective icons below.

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