Richard Thomas Strong

Richard Thomas Strong was born August 14, 1962 in San Diego, California. He lived in San Diego until he was about 7 years old, then moved to Corpus Christi, Texas. He graduated Mary Carroll High School, then attended Del Mar College Technical School for Welding. He was so proud to be on the Dean's list because he always told me that he graduated high school and couldn't read a tape measure.

Richard was a perfectionist welder that didn't agree with just passing the x-ray test, but he believed the weld should be clean and pretty. He expanded his welding career by becoming a Certified Welding Inspector in 1996. Richard worked for various contractors throughout his career all over the United States, Puerto Rico, and Trinidad. Contractors he was dedicated to are Turnaround Welding Services and Cleveland Integrity Inspection. Richard was an outstanding welder for over thirty years and well known for his dedication to the industrial career. Richard inspired more in the industry than he will ever know.

Richard was a devoted husband to the love his life, Angela Ruth Strong (Young), and they married on November 19, 1989 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Together, they built their home in Texas, Oklahoma and Colorado during different stages of his career. Richard's hobbies included surfing, CB radio (skip) handle was Pompano, stunt kites, deep sea fishing, hiking various Colorado mountain trails, and snowmobiling.

Richard is survived by his wife, Angela Strong; son, Zachary (Ikumi) Thomas Strong; daughter, Madeline (Shane) Ruth Johnson; four grandchildren, Luca Thomas Strong, Maverick O'Neal Johnson, Harper Willow Ruth Johnson and Zen Richard Strong; father, Grover "Lefty" Strong; father-in-law Wayne Young; mother-in-law Lynda Houchin; brothers, Robert "Bobby" (Susan) Strong and Jeff (Christy) Young; sisters, Janice (Rich) Cagle and Kayla Gilmore; many grandparents, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

He is preceded in death by his mother, Evangeline "Vengie" Catherine Strong; and father-in-law, John Houchin.

We are gathered here today so that Ritchie could show you his love for the mountains of Colorado; such an amazing send off for my love. His body will be laid to rest in Cleveland, Oklahoma near a few of the "Sunday Dinner Crew". If Richard, Ritchie, Dad, Bro-law, Strong Man, St. Richard, and Right or Wrong Strong was here with us today, he would say: "LOVE your family with your whole heart and entire being. CHASE your dreams. KEEP HIGH STANDARDS (we always said he was "OCD"). SMILE at your adventures. LAUGH at jokes."

The spray on family casket indicates: Greenery, represents Nature; Yellow Rose, represents Love; Peony, represents Long Relationships; Apple Blossom, represents Adventure; Edelweiss, represents Notoriety; Pink Carnation, represents Remembrance; four Crocus, represent Children; four Primrose, represent Grandchildren.

Richard Strong, your legacy will continue through your spouse, children, grandchildren and all the other lives you touched during your journey here on Earth. Now, Fly High and we will see you soon!!!

Copyright Notice

© 2022 (Chapman-Black Funeral Home)

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. This obituary is a work protected under international and federal Copyright Laws and Treaties. Any unauthorized reproduction, distribution or use of this material is prohibited. No part of this compiled work may be reproduced, altered or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without express written permission from the author.

The author hereby grants the newspaper the right to publish the compiled work on the dates and location provided in the submission details and further grants to the newspaper the right to reproduce the work electronically in any website or digital medium owned or controlled by the newspaper provided the copy is not altered or modified in any way. The funeral home's website domain must accompany any reproduction of the work. The work must not be used for or by any person for direct commercialized gain in competition with the author, the funeral home, or their respective businesses.

Privacy Disclaimer

The information contained in this Tribute Wall is intended solely for the private use of the families and friends of the deceased to support each other and honour, respect and pay tribute to the memory of the deceased.

Any and all other use is strictly prohibited. Without limiting the foregoing, any reproduction, distribution of the information contained herein, nor any contact or solicitation of any person identified in this work, nor any attempt to use the information in the work is prohibited.