Colonel Bob C Strong Obituary (1936 - 2019)

After a long and unexpected journey, Colonel Bob C Strong passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 13, 2019. Bob was born on May 14, 1936 in Salt Lake City, Utah to mother, Thelma Gaddell Ackerman Strong and Father, Elmer Clarence Strong. He was the 7th of 10 children; Betty Robinson (Lew, dec.), Jack (Barbara), Don, dec. (Diane), Lynn, dec. (Marilyn), Doris Jack (Bob, dec.), Ted, dec. (Ginny), Dick, dec., Ardell Brooks, dec. (George, dec.) and Carol, dec. It was while participating in the Sacre Dulce Choir that he met his life long sweet heart Carol Diane Sollis. They married on April 26, 1963 and were sealed in the Logan LDS Temple for time and all eternity. Bob was a faithful member and valiant servant of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- Day Saints. He served a mission from 1956 to 1959 in Helsinki, Finland, where he learned to speak Finnish fluently, one of the most difficult languages in the world. Bob graduated from South High School and later received his Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics from Westminster College in Salt Lake City, Utah. Bob joined the Utah Army National Guard early in his career and served 29 years in the Military, retiring at the rank of Colonel. He was one of the original members of 142nd Military Intelligence Linguist Battalion Unit. As a civilian, Bob worked with the Defense Information Systems Agency at Hill Air Force Base where he retired as Chief Information Systems Director. It was then that Bob had the chance to join his companion, Carol, to serve two LDS missions, back to back, in the San Juan, Puerto Rico Mission on the island of Barbados. This was a precious time for them as they worked side by side spreading the Gospel of the Lord. They loved the people of Barbados and the people loved them back and they loved each other. Barbados will forever be a place of joy and happiness for them and for their family. Bob’s biggest hobby was his family. He enjoyed taking big family vacations, especially to the beaches of Southern California. Bob also loved spending time with his family at our Cabin in the Mountains above Midway, Utah. Bob is survived by his loving spouse, Carol S. Strong, his children; Christine Strong, DeeAnn Beltz (Keith), Lezlie Vance (Larry), and David Micah Strong (Angela), his grandchildren; Lacey West Derbidge (Nicholas), Zachary Beltz, Holland Beltz, Ryder Vance, Landon Vance, Cougar Vance, Zoe Strong, Jonah Strong, Cody Strong and Caleb Strong. Bob is preceded in death by his parents, Thelma Gaddell Ackerman Strong and Elmer Clarence Strong. Mother in Law; Emma Child Sollis and Brother in Law; Tom Sollis. Bob was many things, a good Son and Brother, a loving Husband and Father, a fun Poppy and Uncle, a loyal friend, neighbor and a great leader. Bob was a brave man, a generous man and a kind man. We love you, and will miss you, up to the moon and back. A viewing will be held on Sunday, January 20, 2019 at Jenkins-Soffe Funeral Home from 5:00 -7:00pm at 4670 South State Street, Murray, Utah, 84107. Funeral Services will be held on Monday, January 21, 2019 from 11:00 am – 12:00 pm at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Holladay 3rd Ward Chapel located on 4568 South Holladay Boulevard, Holladay, Utah 84117. There will be a brief viewing before the service from 10:00am to 10:45am at the same location as the funeral service. Interment will be held directly after the service at Wasatch Lawn Cemetery located at 3401 S. Highland Drive, Salt Lake City, UT 84106. Bob’s Family would like to thank the staff, especially the care-givers, at The Wentworth at Coventry Memory Care Support and Utah Palliative Care & Hospice, for the loving kindness and care you bestowed upon Bob in the last months of his life. Online condolences may be shared at www.jenkins-soffe.com.