James Macklin "Jim" Strong

1936 - 2020

James "Jim" Macklin Strong

Payson - James "Jim" Macklin Strong, 83, of Payson, Arizona, was called to his eternal home on March 29, 2020, surrounded with love from his family.

Jim was born on September 1, 1936 in Kansas City, Kansas. The son of late Velma and Dr. James M. Strong, he was a fun loving brother to his only sibling Twila, who survives. On October 23, 1964 he married the love of his life, Mary (DeJager) Strong, who also survives.

Jim was raised in Grand Junction, Colorado, where his love of art, Native American Indians, and the West began. Jim graduated from the Art Center School of Design in Los Angeles in 1961. After graduation, Jim worked for North American Aviation - Autonetics as an Illustrator. After moving to Arizona, he worked for Brush & Color and in early 1967, he became the Head Instructor for the Scottsdale School of Art.

An accomplished Western Artist, he established the Jim Strong Art School where he taught oil painting to hundreds of students for 33 years in Scottsdale. In 1999, Jim retired, and he and Mary moved to Payson. In 2005, Jim came out of retirement and began teaching oil painting at the Gila Community College. After 13 years of teaching at the college, Jim retired once again.

A devoted family man, Jim is also survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Kim & Sean Matthews of Reno, Nevada; son, Brian Strong of Makawao, Hawaii; daughter and son-in-law, Kristy & Eric Resch of Cave Creek, Arizona; and grandsons Taylor, Hunter, and Wyatt.

The family would like to thank Sante Hospice, for their compassion when Jim needed it most. Services will be scheduled at Rock of Ages Lutheran Church in Payson, at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Rock of Ages at rockofages-payson.com.