David Hencil Strauser

David Hencil Strauser of Tucson, AZ was born in rural Weatherford, OK on February 2, 1922 and passed away on March 12, 2011 in Tucson at age 89. Visitation will be held Friday, March 18, 2011, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at ADAIR FUNERAL HOMES, Dodge Chapel, 1050 N. Dodge Chapel, Tucson, AZ. Religious Memorial Service will follow at 2:00 p.m. at The Cascades of Tucson, 201 N. Jessica Ave. Burial to follow in Weatherford, Oklahoma. David was born to Elijah Hencil and Jewell Mae (Casady) Strauser on their farm, bordering old dirt Route 66, and learned to work hard - even plowing fields behind mules as early as age four. David married Iona Albritton on October 24, 1942 in Clinton, OK, beginning a union that would last 68 years. David served stateside in the US Army Air Forces during WWII and was honorably discharged in 1946. Daughter, Carolyn Deanna and son, Garry David, were both born in Oklahoma. After working his father's Washita County farm for awhile, David moved his family to Tucson, AZ in August 1948 and built a home on Tucson's south side. He became employed at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base and worked there as a civil service warehouseman for the next 28 years, often operating the largest forklifts on or near the flight line. During those years, he was elected president of the local chapters of the IUE and the American Federation of Government Employees and successfully negotiated the first exclusive master bargaining agreement between any labor union and Davis-Monthan AFB. He retired in 1977, with a total of 32 years of government service. Greatly influenced by the dedicated life of his father-in-law, Elmer Albritton, David was saved and baptized at about age 27, and became an ordained deacon in the local Missionary Baptist Church. David always believed in honesty and "doing things right" and expected the same from others. He demonstrated his love best through his faithful consistency and unwavering devotion to his wife and family. Never about frills or "keeping up with the Jones's", David was frugal and lived modestly, always aware of growing up in the era of The Great Depression. David and Iona moved to the northeast part of Tucson in 1987. David is preceded in death by his parents; brother, William Strauser; sister-in-law, Vera Strauser and great-niece, Melissa Busch. He is survived by his wife, Ruby Anna Iona; one daughter, Deanna (Larry) Kastens of Hereford, AZ; one son, Garry (Patricia) Strauser of Hot Springs, SD; two granddaughters, Amy (Frank) VanDevender and Julie (Satya) Krishnamurthi; four grandsons, Jayson Kastens, Michael Strauser, Timothy (Tawnya) Strauser and Matthew (Brandi) Strauser as well as 13 great-grandchildren, Abigail, Jackson, Frank IV, Curtis, Steven and Thomas VanDevender, Sanjay, Vijay and Pranay Krishnamurthi and Kynlee, Kellen, Kalli and Kale Strauser; sister-in-law, Juanita Albritton and niece, Patricia Ellis as well as numerous other loving nieces and nephews and great- and great-great nieces and nephews. Although David will be missed by all who knew him, there is complete comfort, certain that he is now at rest in the arms of his Lord and Savior. The family's thanks go to the smiling faces, helping hands, and warm hearts that cared for David through the Tucson medical community and at The Cascades of Tucson and Villa Campana. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be sent to the Christian charity for which you may have a specific passion. Arrangements by J. WARREN FUNERAL SERVICES, Casa Grande, Arizona.