Edward (Ed) M Strong

Edward Maurice Strong, Ed, was born on July 22, 1940 in Westford, New York, to James and Alma Strong and was one of four children. After graduating from Draper Central School he entered the United States Air Force, where he served for 20 years nationally and internationally.

In 1960, he asked for the blessing of Wilbur Bush to marry his daughter, Mickey, and they were married on September 20. They raised two children, Kim and Jeff. While busy raising children, coaching his son’s sports teams, serving the church and serving in the Air Force, Ed earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Theoretical Mathematics from Rollins College. Ed retired from the USAF on March 31, 1980. He then worked for ENSCO, a civilian partner of his USAF unit, for another 20 years.

Ed and Mickey enjoyed travel to every part of the globe, beginning with the United States and then visiting every continent in the world with the exception of Antarctica. They enjoyed wildlife safaris in Africa, the Great Wall of China, the history of Poland, and had many, many other adventures.

Ed had a servant’s heart, serving as a youth leader, leading youth teams to the Appalachia Service Project, working on mission teams regionally and internationally, delivering Meals on Wheels, volunteering with Wheels4Hope, teaching Adult Sunday School and singing in a choir that visited nursing homes, and in many other ways.

Ed enjoyed many sports, playing basketball in high school and early college, taking up tennis as an adult, playing often with friends, and taking up golf in his retirement years, playing regularly with friends met at church and in his neighborhood.

Ed was proud of his family—of his wife’s educational achievements and appointment as elementary school principal in Brevard County, FL; of his son’s athletic accomplishments, career success and family life with wife, Pam; of his daughter’s educational accomplishments, life as a pastor and family with Tom and Kirsten; he delighted in his granddaughter, Kirsten, and was so proud to see her graduate from college and graduate school.

As he reflected on his life, he said again and again, “I have been blessed” and affirmed his assurance that although his earthly life was coming to a close, his life in heaven is just beginning. His earthly life ended on February 22, 2024.

Ed was predeceased by his parents, sister, Sheila, brother, Leslie and daughter-in-law, Pam. He is survived by wife, Mickey, children, Kim (Tom) and Jeff, granddaughter, Kirsten, sister, Eunice, and many extended family members and brothers and sisters in Christ.

A service of death and resurrection will be held on Saturday, March 2 at 11:00AM at Wakefield UMC, 10701 Common Oaks Drive, Raleigh, NC 27614 with fellowship following. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that you make a contribution to one of the two mission projects dear to Ed: Wheels4Hope.org or the Appalachia Service Project (asphome.org).