Morgan Gary Strong

Morgan Gary "Monk" Strong, 85, of Tyler, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 25, 2014 at The Hospice of East Texas after a short battle with illness. Funeral services are scheduled for 1:30 PM on Saturday, June 28, 2014 at Pollard United Methodist Church, with Reverend Barry R. Strong, OSFS, nephew, and Reverend Stephanie Scott officiating under the direction of Stewart Family Funeral Home. Burial will be at Old Prospect Cemetery in Mt. Enterprise, Texas, following the service. Morgan was born on April 14, 1929 to Josie and Beeman Strong in Mt. Enterprise Texas. He graduated from Mt. Enterprise High School, attended Stephen F. Austin State University and the University of Houston, and later served in the Army during the Korean War. He then moved to Tyler where he worked for Atlantic Richfield Oil Company and was a realtor for many years. He was a longtime member of Pollard United Methodist Church where he was a member of the Men's Bible Group. Most importantly, Morgan devoted his whole life to his family, and was an incredibly loving husband, father and grandfather who led by example and deeply impacted those who knew him. He had a passion for the outdoors, an unrivaled green thumb and loved sitting on the porch at his childhood home in Mt. Enterprise, which he frequented. He had a heart for service, and volunteered for Meals on Wheels. He was easygoing with a quick wit that kept friends, family, and even total strangers on their toes. He is preceded in death by his wife of 49 years, Mary Eklond Strong; brothers, Charles Strong and Homer "Hap" Strong; and sisters, Faye Risinger Hudgins, Francis Boyd Kieswetter, and Sarah Strong. He is survived by his loving wife, Dolores Strong and her daughter and son-in-law Cathy and Gary Gibbons; son Mark Strong and wife Martha of Richardson; daughter Melinda Allen and husband Rick of Tyler; son Brad Strong and wife Lisa of The Woodlands; son Joe Strong of Richardson; grandchildren, Ben Allen and wife Ginger of Tomball, Ashley Allen of New York City; Morgan Strong Broussard and husband Vance of Houston, Cameron Strong of The Woodlands, Andrew Strong and wife Maria of Richardson, Katie Strong Burkett and husband Kyle of Richardson; great-granddaughter, Molly Burkett of Richardson; sisters, Joan Pinkerton of Longview and Dorothy Telschow of Houston and numerous nieces and nephews. Pallbearers are Ben Allen, Andrew Strong, Cameron Strong, Kyle Burkett, Vance Broussard and Gary Gibbons. Honorary pallbearers are the Men's Bible Group at Pollard United Methodist Church. We would like to extend our undying gratitude to Dr. Arielle Lee, who has done an outstanding job caring for Morgan and his family through each step of this process. Visitation will take place on Friday, June 27, 2014 from 5:30-7:00 PM at Stewart Family Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to Old Prospect Cemetery Fund, P.O. Box 682, Mt. Enterprise, Texas, 75681, Pollard United Methodist Church, 3030 New Copeland Rd, Tyler, TX 75701 or The Hospice of East Texas Foundation, 4111 University Blvd., Tyler, TX 75701.

Morgan Gary Strong

April 14, 1929 - June 25, 2014