Raymond Lewis Strong, 79, of Spurger, died Thursday, March 27, 2014.  He was born on January 12, 1935, in Newgulf, Texas, to Mary Ann Pyssen Strong and Elmer Burrell.

He lived his early years in Newgulf and Liberty and moved to Beaumont in 1952.  Raymond graduated from South Park High School in 1954 and accepted an athletic scholarship to McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Louisiana; where he played halfback for the Cowboys.  In 1959, Raymond married Brenda Roselyn Condon.

Raymond was a veteran of the Korean War and served in the United States Naval Reserve until 1961.  He received an honorable discharge at the rank of Petty Officer Second Class.  After his military service, he completed his education at Lamar University and worked at DuPont until his retirement in 1985.  For the remainder of his life he continued working with investments in real estate and rental properties.  After retirement, Raymond lived part time in Bedias, Texas until permanently relocating to Spurger in 2005.

Survivors include his wife of fifty-four years, Brenda; daughter, Rachael Rogers and her husband, Danny; son, Ronald Strong and his wife, Azalia; grandchildren, Ryan and Cody Sheppard; Reagan and Rory Strong; Colby, Alexander, and Jeffery Rogers; and Ashley Bailey; brothers, Beryl Strong and his wife, JoLynn, of Albuquerque, New Mexico and Elmer George Strong and his wife, Gayla, of Tucson, Arizona; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A gathering of Mr. Strong’s family and friends will begin at 1:00 p.m., with his memorial service at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, April 5, 2014, at Broussard’s, 490 Cemetery Road, Silsbee.  His committal was held at Broussard’s Crematorium, Beaumont.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mr. Strong’s name to the American Macular Degeneration Foundation, P.O. Box 515, Northampton, Maine 01061-0515, Anayat House, 2675 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont, Texas 77702, Humane Society of Southeast Texas, P.O. Box 1629, Beaumont, Texas 77704-1629, or a charity of ones choice.