Claude "Buddy" Reaugh Strait of Aztec, NM, born October 7, 1932 in Farmington, NM, died Wednesday evening, September 17, 2003 at San Juan Regional Medical Center at the age of 70 years, 11 months and ten days. Claude is survived by his mother, Christine Herron Bowra of Los Lunas, NM; three sons, Claude Herron Strait of Canyon City, CO, Stern Wallace Strait of DeQueen, AR, and Kevin Reaugh Strait of Canyon City, CO; two daughters, Darla Kay Richards of Wray, CO and Kelly Jo Swick of Evan, CO; three sisters, Charlotte and husband, Norm Ostroff of El Dorado Hills, CA, Carolyn and husband, Tom Brasch of Spokane, WA and Patricia and husband, Craig Schooley of Los Lunas, NM; 12 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and a very special friend, Ruth Terrill of Aztec, NM; and many, many more family and friends. He was preceded by his maternal grandparents, Elijah Claude Herron and Jesse Mildred "Bami" (Henson) Herron; father, Charles Reaugh Strait; and step-father, Harry "Stern" Redman Bowra. Claude served in the US Navy during the Korean War on the USS Jason. He married Virginia May Phillips of Burlington CO on May 10, 1957. Together they had five children. He was a very artistic carpenter who was admired for his excellent work with interior textures. He loved music and was especially fond of playing the "Boogie Woogie" on piano and he enjoyed sitting outside and would often study the night sky. Some of his other favorite activities included reading (including dictionaries), conversing with others about "truth", attending bible study and collecting rocks. He was a devoted Christian who delighted in serving the Lord. He will be greatly missed by all. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to the Connelly Hospitality House, 710 S. Lake, Farmington, NM or to the Claude "Buddy" Strait Memorial Fund, Bank of America, 2200 E. Main, Farmington, NM. A Memorial Service will be held 3:30 p.m. Saturday, October 4, 2003 at La Quey Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Joe O'Neal of the Mountain Vista Baptist Church in Farmington, officiating and of the First Baptist Church in Aztec, Deacon Ted Russell delivering the eulogy. Interment at Greenlawn Cemetery with military honors by VFW Post 2182. A reception will follow at Bethany Christian Church, 711 E. 30th Street, Farmington. His children also have a special request that friends and family members each bring a rock of their choice to the services. Rocks collected will be included in a memorial headstone to be assembled at a later date. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of La Quey Funeral Home. Written by Kelly (Strait) Swick
Claude "Buddy" Reaugh Strait of Aztec, NM, born October 7, 1932 in Farmington, NM, died Wednesday evening, September 17, 2003 at San Juan Regional Medical Center at the age of 70 years, 11 months and ten days. Claude is survived by his mother, Christine Herron Bowra of Los Lunas, NM; three sons, Claude Herron Strait of Canyon City, CO, Stern Wallace Strait of DeQueen, AR, and Kevin Reaugh Strait of Canyon City, CO; two daughters, Darla Kay Richards of Wray, CO and Kelly Jo Swick of Evan, CO; three sisters, Charlotte and husband, Norm Ostroff of El Dorado Hills, CA, Carolyn and husband, Tom Brasch of Spokane, WA and Patricia and husband, Craig Schooley of Los Lunas, NM; 12 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and a very special friend, Ruth Terrill of Aztec, NM; and many, many more family and friends. He was preceded by his maternal grandparents, Elijah Claude Herron and Jesse Mildred "Bami" (Henson) Herron; father, Charles Reaugh Strait; and step-father, Harry "Stern" Redman Bowra. Claude served in the US Navy during the Korean War on the USS Jason. He married Virginia May Phillips of Burlington CO on May 10, 1957. Together they had five children. He was a very artistic carpenter who was admired for his excellent work with interior textures. He loved music and was especially fond of playing the "Boogie Woogie" on piano and he enjoyed sitting outside and would often study the night sky. Some of his other favorite activities included reading (including dictionaries), conversing with others about "truth", attending bible study and collecting rocks. He was a devoted Christian who delighted in serving the Lord. He will be greatly missed by all. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to the Connelly Hospitality House, 710 S. Lake, Farmington, NM or to the Claude "Buddy" Strait Memorial Fund, Bank of America, 2200 E. Main, Farmington, NM. A Memorial Service will be held 3:30 p.m. Saturday, October 4, 2003 at La Quey Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Joe O'Neal of the Mountain Vista Baptist Church in Farmington, officiating and of the First Baptist Church in Aztec, Deacon Ted Russell delivering the eulogy. Interment at Greenlawn Cemetery with military honors by VFW Post 2182. A reception will follow at Bethany Christian Church, 711 E. 30th Street, Farmington. His children also have a special request that friends and family members each bring a rock of their choice to the services. Rocks collected will be included in a memorial headstone to be assembled at a later date. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of La Quey Funeral Home. Written by Kelly (Strait) Swick
