Roll Call Tribute

Obituary source unknown

Deward Lynn Strong was born on April 25, 1947 in Dalhart, TX to Art and Karlena (Cox) Strong. He attended Dalhart schools and graduated from DHS in 1965. He earned a track scholarship to Texas A&M, and graduated a proud Aggie in 1969.

Deward began his lifelong dream of ranching by managing a ranch in Colorado. He married Kim Champness in 1985. Having worked together in New Mexico, Texas, and California, they bought their first ranch in Montana. The couple migrated to Oklahoma in 2000.

A can-do man, Deward knew construction work, welding, mechanics, and Black Angus cattle. He was a visionary, always planning improvements and dreaming of the future. As a conservationist, he cared for soil, meadows, and trees. He loved hunting, fishing, and teaching upcoming generations.

Deward became a Christian when he was 11 years old at Lincoln Street Baptist Church in Dalhart, TX. Since moving to Oklahoma, he and Kim have been active members of Coalgate United Methodist Church.

Deward was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Kim, of the home; daughter Dana Strong Abla, and her husband Kurtis of Dalhart, TX; daughter Nikki Strong Alexander, and her husband Creighton, of Chapel Hill, NC; son Deward James Strong and his wife Tawnya of Montrose, CO; eight grandchildren: Madison Abla, JD Abla and wife MaKayla, Dusty Stapleton; Canon, Whitby, and Cosmo Alexander; Tennessee and Taj Strong; five great-grandchildren: Daxis, Willow, Jensen, Ace and Emryn; and a sister, Karen Knock and her husband Donnie of Bovina, TX.

A memorial service was held at Coalgate United Methodist Church on Saturday, April 6 at 2:00 PM. Deward is buried at the family ranch with a view of the western sun setting over the golden fields on his beloved “little bit of land.”

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Deward’s name to the Youth and Children’s Departments at Coalgate First United Methodist Church.