Raymond Basil Stronsky

Raymond B. Stronsky, Jr. (“Ray”) left this world a better place when he passed peacefully on to the next on January 11, 2023. Born in Chicago, Illinois, on July 9, 1951, to Raymond Basil Stronsky, Sr. (“Rome”) and Lida Jane Coleman, Ray soon assumed the role of proud and overly-protective big brother to sister Barbara Ann and brother Brian. After Ray’s wartime service as a U.S. Army Specialist earning decorations and medals including the Army Occupational Medal (Berlin), the National Defense Service Medal, the Expert Infantry Badge, and the designation of M16 Sharpshooter, Ray set his sights on New Orleans where he began what would become a life-long celebrated career in commercial real estate – first flourishing as a broker-agent, soon expanding into commercial development, and later founding and operating a highly successful commercial property management company. During his time in New Orleans, Ray met the love-of-his-life, Sarah Jane Henderson, then a college professor and a tenant in a building managed by his company. The two were soon wed on February 3, 1984, at Andrews Chapel in Jackson, Tennessee, and returned to New Orleans for an epic celebration amongst friends and family. The following year, the couple was blessed with a daughter, Sarah Beth, and the three lived happily in Metairie for many years. Beckoned by the excitement of a new, burgeoning commercial development frontier, Ray moved the family to the Mississippi Gulf Coast, where Ray would later become one of the most lauded, storied, and preeminent commercial real estate brokers and developers in the State’s history through his role in the establishment and expansion of the gaming and tourism industries along Mississippi’s Gulf Shores. The family lived the next 25 years in their home on back bay in Ocean Springs where they raised Sarah Beth, and fully emersed themselves into the sport to which she ultimately dedicated most of her youth: horseback riding. Later becoming a national champion equestrian, Sarah Beth’s sport kept Ray on the road with a horse-trailer most weekends, though the family always managed to find time to spend in Ray’s found heaven: out on the Gulf of Mexico. Sarah Beth graduated from O.S. High School, earned her B.A. in accounting and economics, and attended law school on a full academic scholarship and graduated with highest honors. Sarah Beth, who in her career as a commercial and financial litigator specializing in lender-liability defense and creditor-representation in business-bankruptcy cases, has shattered ceilings and continues to break records, and at every single turn, and in every chance she is given, credits every ounce of her success – both professional and personal – to the deep, endless and unqualified love and support of her parents, and above all else, to the unflagging wisdom and counsel she had in Ray -- her first and loudest and proudest supporter on every sideline and in every corner throughout her life. Ray lived vivaciously, and did everything to its absolute fullest. But of everything Ray did, nothing was ever bigger, ever stronger, or ever more relentless than his love for his wife Sarah Jane– who he loved with every fiber of his being for all of their 39 years of marriage, and with every breath he took until his very last. Ray had an unmatched and often uncanny ability to read, understand, and communicate with people, a strikingly strong, deeply-seated intuition, and an unflappable disposition, which altogether rendered him a true force to be reckoned with – and even to be in a room with – throughout his life. His deep, barreling laugh, his fierce but kind icy-blue eyes, his unconditional loyalty to his family and his friends, and his contagious love of fun, are only but a few of the gaping holes Ray’s absence will leave for those left behind. Ray is preceded in death by his parents, his sister Barbara A. Griffin Lott, and his niece Jayna P. Griffin. He is survived by his wife Sarah Jane Stronsky, daughter Sarah Beth Wilson (and husband Benjamin H. Wilson), grandchildren Roman (9), Ava (7) and Haze (9-months) Wilson, his brother Brian J. Stronsky (and wife Tammy M. Stronsky), niece Brooke Ford (and husband Colton R. Ford), niece Cara Jane Stronsky (and husband Benjamin T. Hester), and nephew Max G. Griffin. The family will host a Celebration of Ray’s Life in Ocean Springs on Friday, January 27th at 701 Bienville Blvd., with visitation at 2 p.m. and a celebration service at 3 p.m. Family and friends unable to attend are asked to share any favorite memories or words of love for benefit of Ray’s grandchildren by mail to Sarah Beth Wilson at 4270 N. Hwy 55, Jackson, MS, 39211.