Robert Porter “Bob” Strong, 76, of Portales passed away peacefully Monday morning, in Fort Worth, Tx after a brief battle with cancer. There will be a Rosary at St. Helens Church in Portales, NM at 7:00 pm on Thursday, August 30. The funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 am Friday, August 31 at St. Helens Church in Portales, NM by Fr. Charles Ugochukwu. A graveside memorial will follow in the Tucumcari Cemetery at 2:30 PM.
Bob was born on July 21, 1942 in Dalhart, TX to Robert and Jane Strong. He grew up in Tucumcari, NM and graduated from Tucumcari High School in 1960. He was also part of the Tucumcari High School State football championship team in 1959. He married his childhood sweetheart, Gay Ann Dowds, April 21, 1962 while attending school and playing football at ENMU. Bob was a Distributor/Jobber for Phillips 66 Petroleum Company for many years, holding territories in various states, such as Colorado, Montana, Texas and New Mexico. Meanwhile, he and Gay raised 5 children, Susan, Stan, Steve, Mary, and David, before settling down in Portales, where he owned and operated Bob Strong Oil Co. for 15 years. While operating his business he received his MBA from Eastern New Mexico University. He has been a longtime resident of Portales and has been the president and/or integral member of many organizations including Rotary Club, Greyhound Bench Club, ENMU Board of Regents, Portales Chamber of Commerce, Ram Booster Club, Ambassador of New Mexico Amigos and is an active member of St. Helens Catholic Church. Bob also taught classes at ENMU, Clovis Community College, and was a favored substitute teacher at Portales High School for more than 20 years.
Bob is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Gay Strong, their five children; Susan Lutrick, Stan (Clair) Strong, Steve Strong, Mary (Rob) Newell, and David (Jennifer) Strong, 18 Grandchildren; Christopher, Kyle, Cole, Alex, Jaegar, Gavin, Heidi, Porter, Skylar, Steven, AnnMarie, Declan, Michael, Park, and Christa, Andy, Mason, and Lilly, 7 Great-grandchildren; Alexis, Isaiah, Thomas, Kianna, Kaden, Miles, and Hunter, and one Great-Great-Grandchild forthcoming, Sister; Tommie Jane (Bob) Doughty, nephews; Rob (Emily) Doughty and Matt (Carrianne) Doughty, and many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; Robert and Jane Strong, and Daughter-in-law Chanda Strong.
Pallbearers will be Grandsons; Christopher Parrish, Cole Parrish, Jaegar Strong, Gavin Strong, Porter Newell, Steven Newell, Declan Strong, Michael Newell, and Park Strong. Honorary pallbearer is grandson Kyle Parrish.
