James A. Strong III, who was a well-respected firefighter and community servant, passed away unexpectedly at his home on October 24, 2018, at the age of 71. Called "Jimmy" by all, Strong's firefighting legacy is only part of his story. The 1965 graduate of Orange County High School attended Brevard College in North Carolina. After college, Jimmy served in the U.S. Army and was promoted to sergeant after graduating from Non-Commissioned Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, GA. He then was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 9th Infantry of the 2nd Infantry Division and served on the Korean Demilitarized Zone. Jimmy became a junior firefighter with the Barboursville Volunteer Fire Company at age 16, and for more than five decades he served Barboursville and its surrounding communities as a volunteer firefighter. At 29, he became chief of the station, following in the footsteps of his father, who was Barboursville's first fire chief more than six decades ago. Because of his experience and leadership, in each of the decades from the 1970s to 2010s, Jimmy was elected to wear the fire chief's hat numerous times.
Jimmy's wife, Diane Davis Strong, is also active in the fire department and is currently the Business Manager. Over the past 5 decades as a firefighter, Jimmy was recognized by various community organizations for his leadership and community volunteerism. "Jimmy was definitely an old-school firefighter who believed in getting the job done," said Wes Sheler, current fire chief at Barboursville. "Jimmy taught us to strongasize." His friends, family, employees and fellow firefighters created the new word, "strongasize," to describe Jimmy's ability to find seemingly impossible solutions in tough situations in order to get the job done.
Jimmy operated his own business, Strong Excavating Inc., which until his retirement in 2009, employed dozens of locals through the years. His employees often became volunteer firemen, with little separation from their jobs and volunteer firefighting. Strong was adamant that every emergency call to the station be answered, and generously kept the work-clock running as his employees donned firefighting uniforms. "Jimmy gave a lot of people their first jobs, and he saw potential in everyone," said Mark Eheart, a longtime employee, friend and volunteer firefighter. "He'd give second chances, too, believing you had the choice to correct yourself or move on. He did not hover, but he'd expect you to get the job done, either at work or as a firefighter." Greg Lawson, another longtime Strong Excavating Inc., employee as well as friend and fellow firefighter, describes Strong as "a legend." Lawson said, "Jimmy was very respected in the entire county and when he talked, people listened."
Strong was a dedicated community leader who would always lend a helping hand, and when not responding to fire calls or managing his business, he could be found in his shop or at the firehouse sharing stories and providing guidance. Jimmy was an avid lover of history whose mischievous smile, ability to deliver a line, and gift for finding solutions to impossible problems meant that there was always a story to be told. Strong was a natural born storyteller with a good memory for detail and a love of expounding on new and past events. His dry wit kept those around him in smiles, but what Strong will be remembered for most is his influence in the growth of the Barboursville Volunteer Fire Company, whose members are like family.
Friends and neighbors tell plenty of tales about his fun-loving nature, such as drag-racing, restoring classic cars, enjoying sports such as softball, racquetball and golf, and dirt track racing "Bad to the Bone." Any encounter with Jimmy was an opportunity for him to "culture" others with his unabashed love of music, especially the music from the 1960's, but his appreciation of music spanned all decades and genres.
Strong was preceded in death by his father, James A. Strong; mother, Olda A. Fitzhugh; and stepfather, Henry C. Fitzhugh.
Strong is survived by his wife of 50 years, Diane D. Strong; two daughters, Susan D. Strong (Noah F. Leiden) and Karen L. Strong (Ramil B. Ibanez); brother, Michael A. Strong (Carol Falkner); and grandchildren, Joshua Ibanez, Jonah Ibanez, Shawn Ibanez, Evan Leiden, Nathaniel Leiden, and Madeleine Leiden.
The family will receive friends at Preddy Funeral Home in Gordonsville, on Tuesday, October 30, 2018, from 6 until 7 p.m. Funeral services will be held at Preddy Funeral Home in Gordonsville, on Wednesday, October 31, 2018, at 1 p.m. followed by an interment at Maplewood Cemetery. A celebration of his life at the Barboursville Volunteer Fire House will be held after inurnment. Memorial donations may be made to the Barboursville Volunteer Fire Company.
Jimmy's wife, Diane Davis Strong, is also active in the fire department and is currently the Business Manager. Over the past 5 decades as a firefighter, Jimmy was recognized by various community organizations for his leadership and community volunteerism. "Jimmy was definitely an old-school firefighter who believed in getting the job done," said Wes Sheler, current fire chief at Barboursville. "Jimmy taught us to strongasize." His friends, family, employees and fellow firefighters created the new word, "strongasize," to describe Jimmy's ability to find seemingly impossible solutions in tough situations in order to get the job done.
Jimmy operated his own business, Strong Excavating Inc., which until his retirement in 2009, employed dozens of locals through the years. His employees often became volunteer firemen, with little separation from their jobs and volunteer firefighting. Strong was adamant that every emergency call to the station be answered, and generously kept the work-clock running as his employees donned firefighting uniforms. "Jimmy gave a lot of people their first jobs, and he saw potential in everyone," said Mark Eheart, a longtime employee, friend and volunteer firefighter. "He'd give second chances, too, believing you had the choice to correct yourself or move on. He did not hover, but he'd expect you to get the job done, either at work or as a firefighter." Greg Lawson, another longtime Strong Excavating Inc., employee as well as friend and fellow firefighter, describes Strong as "a legend." Lawson said, "Jimmy was very respected in the entire county and when he talked, people listened."
Strong was a dedicated community leader who would always lend a helping hand, and when not responding to fire calls or managing his business, he could be found in his shop or at the firehouse sharing stories and providing guidance. Jimmy was an avid lover of history whose mischievous smile, ability to deliver a line, and gift for finding solutions to impossible problems meant that there was always a story to be told. Strong was a natural born storyteller with a good memory for detail and a love of expounding on new and past events. His dry wit kept those around him in smiles, but what Strong will be remembered for most is his influence in the growth of the Barboursville Volunteer Fire Company, whose members are like family.
Friends and neighbors tell plenty of tales about his fun-loving nature, such as drag-racing, restoring classic cars, enjoying sports such as softball, racquetball and golf, and dirt track racing "Bad to the Bone." Any encounter with Jimmy was an opportunity for him to "culture" others with his unabashed love of music, especially the music from the 1960's, but his appreciation of music spanned all decades and genres.
Strong was preceded in death by his father, James A. Strong; mother, Olda A. Fitzhugh; and stepfather, Henry C. Fitzhugh.
Strong is survived by his wife of 50 years, Diane D. Strong; two daughters, Susan D. Strong (Noah F. Leiden) and Karen L. Strong (Ramil B. Ibanez); brother, Michael A. Strong (Carol Falkner); and grandchildren, Joshua Ibanez, Jonah Ibanez, Shawn Ibanez, Evan Leiden, Nathaniel Leiden, and Madeleine Leiden.
The family will receive friends at Preddy Funeral Home in Gordonsville, on Tuesday, October 30, 2018, from 6 until 7 p.m. Funeral services will be held at Preddy Funeral Home in Gordonsville, on Wednesday, October 31, 2018, at 1 p.m. followed by an interment at Maplewood Cemetery. A celebration of his life at the Barboursville Volunteer Fire House will be held after inurnment. Memorial donations may be made to the Barboursville Volunteer Fire Company.
James A. Strong III, who was a well-respected firefighter and community servant, passed away unexpectedly at his home on October 24, 2018, at the age of 71. Called "Jimmy" by all, Strong's firefighting legacy is only part of his story. The 1965 graduate of Orange County High School attended Brevard College in North Carolina. After college, Jimmy served in the U.S. Army and was promoted to sergeant after graduating from Non-Commissioned Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, GA. He then was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 9th Infantry of the 2nd Infantry Division and served on the Korean Demilitarized Zone. Jimmy became a junior firefighter with the Barboursville Volunteer Fire Company at age 16, and for more than five decades he served Barboursville and its surrounding communities as a volunteer firefighter. At 29, he became chief of the station, following in the footsteps of his father, who was Barboursville's first fire chief more than six decades ago. Because of his experience and leadership, in each of the decades from the 1970s to 2010s, Jimmy was elected to wear the fire chief's hat numerous times.
Jimmy's wife, Diane Davis Strong, is also active in the fire department and is currently the Business Manager. Over the past 5 decades as a firefighter, Jimmy was recognized by various community organizations for his leadership and community volunteerism. "Jimmy was definitely an old-school firefighter who believed in getting the job done," said Wes Sheler, current fire chief at Barboursville. "Jimmy taught us to strongasize." His friends, family, employees and fellow firefighters created the new word, "strongasize," to describe Jimmy's ability to find seemingly impossible solutions in tough situations in order to get the job done.
Jimmy operated his own business, Strong Excavating Inc., which until his retirement in 2009, employed dozens of locals through the years. His employees often became volunteer firemen, with little separation from their jobs and volunteer firefighting. Strong was adamant that every emergency call to the station be answered, and generously kept the work-clock running as his employees donned firefighting uniforms. "Jimmy gave a lot of people their first jobs, and he saw potential in everyone," said Mark Eheart, a longtime employee, friend and volunteer firefighter. "He'd give second chances, too, believing you had the choice to correct yourself or move on. He did not hover, but he'd expect you to get the job done, either at work or as a firefighter." Greg Lawson, another longtime Strong Excavating Inc., employee as well as friend and fellow firefighter, describes Strong as "a legend." Lawson said, "Jimmy was very respected in the entire county and when he talked, people listened."
Strong was a dedicated community leader who would always lend a helping hand, and when not responding to fire calls or managing his business, he could be found in his shop or at the firehouse sharing stories and providing guidance. Jimmy was an avid lover of history whose mischievous smile, ability to deliver a line, and gift for finding solutions to impossible problems meant that there was always a story to be told. Strong was a natural born storyteller with a good memory for detail and a love of expounding on new and past events. His dry wit kept those around him in smiles, but what Strong will be remembered for most is his influence in the growth of the Barboursville Volunteer Fire Company, whose members are like family.
Friends and neighbors tell plenty of tales about his fun-loving nature, such as drag-racing, restoring classic cars, enjoying sports such as softball, racquetball and golf, and dirt track racing "Bad to the Bone." Any encounter with Jimmy was an opportunity for him to "culture" others with his unabashed love of music, especially the music from the 1960's, but his appreciation of music spanned all decades and genres.
Strong was preceded in death by his father, James A. Strong; mother, Olda A. Fitzhugh; and stepfather, Henry C. Fitzhugh.
Strong is survived by his wife of 50 years, Diane D. Strong; two daughters, Susan D. Strong (Noah F. Leiden) and Karen L. Strong (Ramil B. Ibanez); brother, Michael A. Strong (Carol Falkner); and grandchildren, Joshua Ibanez, Jonah Ibanez, Shawn Ibanez, Evan Leiden, Nathaniel Leiden, and Madeleine Leiden.
The family will receive friends at Preddy Funeral Home in Gordonsville, on Tuesday, October 30, 2018, from 6 until 7 p.m. Funeral services will be held at Preddy Funeral Home in Gordonsville, on Wednesday, October 31, 2018, at 1 p.m. followed by an interment at Maplewood Cemetery. A celebration of his life at the Barboursville Volunteer Fire House will be held after inurnment. Memorial donations may be made to the Barboursville Volunteer Fire Company.
Jimmy's wife, Diane Davis Strong, is also active in the fire department and is currently the Business Manager. Over the past 5 decades as a firefighter, Jimmy was recognized by various community organizations for his leadership and community volunteerism. "Jimmy was definitely an old-school firefighter who believed in getting the job done," said Wes Sheler, current fire chief at Barboursville. "Jimmy taught us to strongasize." His friends, family, employees and fellow firefighters created the new word, "strongasize," to describe Jimmy's ability to find seemingly impossible solutions in tough situations in order to get the job done.
Jimmy operated his own business, Strong Excavating Inc., which until his retirement in 2009, employed dozens of locals through the years. His employees often became volunteer firemen, with little separation from their jobs and volunteer firefighting. Strong was adamant that every emergency call to the station be answered, and generously kept the work-clock running as his employees donned firefighting uniforms. "Jimmy gave a lot of people their first jobs, and he saw potential in everyone," said Mark Eheart, a longtime employee, friend and volunteer firefighter. "He'd give second chances, too, believing you had the choice to correct yourself or move on. He did not hover, but he'd expect you to get the job done, either at work or as a firefighter." Greg Lawson, another longtime Strong Excavating Inc., employee as well as friend and fellow firefighter, describes Strong as "a legend." Lawson said, "Jimmy was very respected in the entire county and when he talked, people listened."
Strong was a dedicated community leader who would always lend a helping hand, and when not responding to fire calls or managing his business, he could be found in his shop or at the firehouse sharing stories and providing guidance. Jimmy was an avid lover of history whose mischievous smile, ability to deliver a line, and gift for finding solutions to impossible problems meant that there was always a story to be told. Strong was a natural born storyteller with a good memory for detail and a love of expounding on new and past events. His dry wit kept those around him in smiles, but what Strong will be remembered for most is his influence in the growth of the Barboursville Volunteer Fire Company, whose members are like family.
Friends and neighbors tell plenty of tales about his fun-loving nature, such as drag-racing, restoring classic cars, enjoying sports such as softball, racquetball and golf, and dirt track racing "Bad to the Bone." Any encounter with Jimmy was an opportunity for him to "culture" others with his unabashed love of music, especially the music from the 1960's, but his appreciation of music spanned all decades and genres.
Strong was preceded in death by his father, James A. Strong; mother, Olda A. Fitzhugh; and stepfather, Henry C. Fitzhugh.
Strong is survived by his wife of 50 years, Diane D. Strong; two daughters, Susan D. Strong (Noah F. Leiden) and Karen L. Strong (Ramil B. Ibanez); brother, Michael A. Strong (Carol Falkner); and grandchildren, Joshua Ibanez, Jonah Ibanez, Shawn Ibanez, Evan Leiden, Nathaniel Leiden, and Madeleine Leiden.
The family will receive friends at Preddy Funeral Home in Gordonsville, on Tuesday, October 30, 2018, from 6 until 7 p.m. Funeral services will be held at Preddy Funeral Home in Gordonsville, on Wednesday, October 31, 2018, at 1 p.m. followed by an interment at Maplewood Cemetery. A celebration of his life at the Barboursville Volunteer Fire House will be held after inurnment. Memorial donations may be made to the Barboursville Volunteer Fire Company.
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