Gerald Stephen Strauss

1946 - 2017

Strauss, Gerald 1946 - 2017
Gerald Stephen Strauss, DDS, age 71, of Worthington, Ohio, passed peacefully on Thursday, December 14, 2017 at The Ohio State University James Cancer Hospital. Jerry was a beloved father, husband, mentor, and friend. Those closest to him described Jerry as a "gentle giant" displaying strength, love, and dedication throughout all aspects of his life. As a 1973 graduate of The Ohio State University College of Dentistry, Jerry practiced family dentistry in Marysville, Ohio for 44 years where he was faithfully dedicated to his patients and staff. He was a member of the Ohio and American Dental Associations and was a member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity. Jerry was a proud Buckeye fan, attending every home OSU football game since 1964, but his true passion was for basketball, as he was a member of the 1965-1966 Ohio State team, under Fred Taylor. Jerry loved the University and showed support through the OSU Presidents Club, The Buckeye Boosters, and the OSU Alumni Association – his veins were truly filled with Scarlet and Grey. Jerry also had a heart for all Ohio sports teams and loyally cheered on the Cleveland Indians as well as the Cleveland Browns. Although sports and The OSU Buckeyes were one of Jerry's biggest passions, his top priority in life was his love for family and friends. Jerry was a committed husband to his wife of 30 years, Susan Hall Strauss, whom he married May 7, 1988, and a supporting father to his two children, Gerald "Jerry" W. Florian Strauss, a senior at OSU and his daughter, Victoria Lee Zoé Strauss, a junior at Florida Atlantic University. Jerry had a zest for life and lived it to the fullest - traveling across the country to visit friends and enjoying time with his family. Jerry was born August 23, 1946 in Marion to the late Gerald "Doc" and Virginia Starner Strauss whom preceded him in death as well as his mentor, Ron Wilson and an infant nephew Bryan Freeman Yoder. He is survived by his sister, Judy (Donald) Fown of Marion; his mother- and father-in-law, Bonnie and James Hall; a brother-in-law, Steve (Karen) Hall of Plain City; a sister-in-law, Sandy (Roger) Yoder of Bluffton, South Carolina; nephews and nieces, Brian (Heather) Thompson, Michelle (Doug) Brandum, Jason (Krista) Hall, Michael (Danielle) Hall, Jenna Yoder, Travis (Meghan) Yoder; and many other relatives and countless friends. Pastor Katya Brodbeck will officiate a Celebration of Life Memorial Service to be held at 4 p.m. Saturday, January 13, 2018 at Powell United Methodist Church, 825 East Olentangy Street, Powell, Ohio 43065. The family will receive friends at the church before the memorial service from 1-3:30 p.m. Attendees are invited for food and fellowship at the church following the service. Underwood Funeral Home in Marysville is assisting the family. Memorial contributions may be made to Charity Newsies or OSU neuroendocrine research (in care of OSU Foundation). Contributions may be sent to Underwood Funeral Home, 703 East Fifth Street, Marysville, Ohio 43040. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.underwoodfuneralhome.com.