John Gordon Strance JR.
1942 - 2016
John Gordon Strance JR.
1942 - 2016
Obituary
Guest Book
BORN
1942
DIED
2016
John Strance Obituary
Don't grieve for me for now I'm free. I'm following the path God has laid you see. I took His hand when I heard His call. I turned my back and left it all. I could not stay another day to laugh, to love, to work, or play. Tasks left undone must stay that way. I found peace at the close of day. If my parting has left a void then fill it with remembered joys. A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss. O yes, these things too, I will miss. Be not burdened with times of sorrow. I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow. My life's been full I savored much, good friends, good times, a loved one's touch. Perhaps my time seemed all too brief. Don't lengthen it now with undue grief. Lift up your hearts and peace to thee . . God wanted me now. He set me free.
Arrangements under the direction of Palm Eastern Mortuary, Las Vegas, NV.
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March 9, 2020
John Strance was my 5th grade teacher. It was 1969. He had just returned from the Peace Corps and took a job at Vichy Elementary School in Napa. He was more our big brother than teacher. Sure we did school work, but we had fun. He made our class a family. Every day after lunch, he would hand out mimeographed handwritten lyrics to songs; he'd put the songs on the record player and we'd sing along. As long as we kept singing, he'd let us. Sometimes we sang until school was out. He played soccer with us, took us hiking on the weekends and let us ride his motorbike when we'd visit his house. I never liked school much before him, and I didn't like it after him. 5th grade was the only year I ever enjoyed. After college, I became a teacher and am now an alternative school principal. Mr. Strance taught me that school could and should be joyful and nurturing - after all, teachers are helping to bring up children. At my 30th high school reunion, I found myself sitting at the end of the evening with several friends from elementary school. We realized we had all been in Mr. Strance's class together. He had created that bond. I will be forever grateful to him for that wonderful year.
Bob&Jan English
May 22, 2016
John loved his RV.I will always remember the RV trips with John and Carolyn,Bridgeport,Pismo,Pahrump,Quartsite and more.Getting up before sunup so he could photograph the early suns reflections on the glass buildings along the Las Vegas strip,trips to Death Valley to his favorite sites.I drove he snapped the pictures.Its times like this when you wish there had been one more trip.John was the kind of Guy you could learn a lot from.He loved real estate,finances,computers and had to have the latest gadget in phones, computers or cameras.He was a loyal son to Elizabeth his mother for many years.He would say,I don't know why she picked me to look after her,but that was obvious to the rest of us.John was a very kind person and he and Carolyn were perfect for each other.John will be missed by all.
Butterfly at Lowell Observatory by John Strance
Chrisy, Arnaud, Chloe & Luc Teil
May 22, 2016
Aunt Carol,
Although we will not be with you tomorrow, you are in our thoughts during this difficult time. Although we haven't seen much of each other in recent years, we have enjoyed keeping in touch by phone and especially by receiving John's e-mails filled with news of your adventures and of course his wonderful photos. They shared with us his zest for life and the beauty in the little things around us. He will be missed. All of our love to you and Debbie,
Peter O'Shea
May 20, 2016
I met John in 1959. We became friends and remained so all his life.
We had many adventures - a few highlights will illustrate - we drove a Jaguar XK 120 at 100mph - we were silly boys! John drove a VW Bug through an apple orchard - we were a little crazy.
It seemed to me that John was interested in many things but most important was his family, photography and computers. John was always interested in how all these ( people and things) worked. One of my jobs was Parks and Recreation Director for a city. We needed a computer program for class registration. John designed, installed and set up a program for registration that staff loved. John also helped many people with their computer problems including me.
He was an artist as a photographer, and in his art he always saw the detail in a scene or a situation
Last but not least I must mention his humor. Even when John was sick he still saw the lighter side. He would text me and he would attach funny pictures - polar bears on their backs, colored cats, brilliant frogs and penguins to name a few.
John learned a lot in his life and continued learning each day. He seemed to be able to deal with the ups and downs of life in a positive fashion.
I didn't think I would miss him as much as I do.
Rest dear John.
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May 18, 2016
Dear Carolyn, Here I sit still unable to comprehend that John is not here with you and all of us in body although he will live forever for me in his larger than life essence. I heard him speak so often of how important you were to him and how much he loved and respected you. In you he found the deep meaning of his own life, the connection he had been searching for his whole life. Despite the grief you now carry you will always have John's spirit by your side. In future times, you will laugh again at his unending humor and crazy talk, wonder always at his creative photography productions, smack your lips at the thought of the yummy meals he cooked, and relish in the love that he offered you all the years you were together. These rich legacies will always be with you Carolyn. There was nobody like John, a rare caring male in our downtrodden world, a real "mensch." My deepest condolences to you as you make passage through the loss and grief experiences. The loss is great, but the life you had together was greater, and your relationship the greatest. With love and remembrance of a major player in all our lives, Long time friend, Gerane Park giiiiiiiiiiii
Cathy Hart-Wagner
May 8, 2016
To My Sunshine Superman, cousin, friend, hiking partner and computer expert. The go to guy for the male version of life. I trusted you, always in all ways. I miss you. We laughed and texted and talked. Thankfully you entrusted your life to all the angels in your family. Carolyn and Debbie and Katrina, family and friends will hold you close in the memory book of earthly life.
The blessing was to be able to share in a few of your final days with laughter and martini with extra olives.
John Gardner
May 8, 2016
Dear Carolyn:
I hardly know where to begin. You will recall my visit to your home in November of 2013; I certainly do. It was a great pleasure for me to finally meet you and, especially to see John so happy and fulfilled in his home and life with you. He and I talked around Christmas time this year and he did update me on the course of his illness as of that time. But I had no idea that things had deteriorated. And I feel so badly that I did not get out to see him again. Oh, I am just sick about this. Carolyn, I am so sorry for your loss.
And, Debbie, too. I met when you were a small baby and then saw you again in December of 1973 and then again around 1978. Oh you were one of those great gifts of life for your father. Coincidentally, for the past several years I have been involved in my work with the College of the Marshall Islands, your ancestral home land. I had told your father about this.
John and I were very close friends at Marietta College from the fall of 1961 when we both started there until we finished in 1965. John went to graduate school in New York City and then the Peace Corps. And I went to graduate school and then into the US Air Force instead of letting the Army draft me. John became a teacher and I was a psychiatric social worker in the Air Force. When John got back from the Marshall Islands in the late 60's and desperately needed a job, my father whom John had met visiting my home in Connecticut during our college years, gave John a job at one of the factories he managed, the American Can Co in Oakland. That life was not for John though and so he started teaching in Napa in the fall of 1969. I was out there in CA at that time on vacation and I helped John move his things up from Oakland to Napa. Never forget it.
Oh, I just can't tell you how much I loved the man. Nobody like him. I am deeply moved and saddened by his passing. I am so sorry I could not have said good bye to him. Please forgive me for his sake for not having been in touch with him since we talked at Christmas. Carolyn and Debbie, I am so, so sorry for your loss.
With sincerest condolences,
John
John N. Gardner
Carolyn Strance
May 8, 2016
My Dearest John, husband, and life partner.
I wish we knew then what we know now. Radiation can kill you many years down the road and when you are least ready for it.
We had so many wonderful years together and it's hard to think about the many years left ahead without you. One of my wishes for you is that you can roam the desert with God in His chariot and learn its many secrets. Your love of the desert sometimes befuddled me, because I could not see as much beauty there as you could. You were so passionate about that and other things... like your photography.
Our home is filled with evidence of this passion and your photos are amazing. The scenery, wild horses, coyotes, flowers all inspired you, but nothing was more special to you than your family. We together have watched our grandchildren grow and develop into wonderful humans and they made you so proud!
My love for you has also grown and developed over the years as I came to realize what a caring, compassionate, and loving man you were. I have also discovered how blessed I was to have a computer guru in the house, since NOW, I am lost. I hope to be able to find those pictures you hid on the hard drives with no cords.
May 8, 2016
I met the Strance's in Elko, Nv., 2009. We were there for Cynthia Delany's photography workshop which included Lamoille Canyon, Tuscarora, Taylor Canyon Resort, and Elko's Horse Auction. It was a great time for all.
Seemed like afterwards we shared each others work.
John and I became great friends in regards to photography. He helped me so much with my computer. Now I know how to file, enhance, and save my images. If it wasn,t for John, he made my world a much better place and
I'll always be grateful!
Whenever I had a problem, which was often, I'd call him to help me figure it out. He was always so helpful and willing and had a lot of patience to put up with me.
In 2012 a Brown Recluse spider bit me and Carolyn and John stopped by to try to help me doctor it. It was a real nightmare. I was so grateful to them for caring.
I hope now, I can call on Carolyn to help me with the computer(only kidding). Don't know how I'll get by without John, but I will.
Carolyn and John are two of the nicest people I have ever met.
My best and love to Carolyn and Debbie.
Sincerely, Jennifer Manha
May 8, 2016
Dear Carolyn:
I hardly know where to begin. You will recall my visit to your home in November of 2013; I certainly do. It was a great pleasure for me to finally meet you and, especially to see John so happy and fulfilled in his home and life with you. He and I talked around Christmas time this year and he did update me on the course of his illness as of that time. But I had no idea that things had deteriorated. And I feel so badly that I did not get out to see him again. Oh, I am just sick about this. Carolyn, I am so sorry for your loss.
And, Debbie, too. I met when you were a small baby and then saw you again in December of 1973 and then again around 1978. Oh you were one of those great gifts of life for your father. Coincidentally, for the past several years I have been involved in my work with the College of the Marshall Islands, your ancestral home land. I had told your father about this.
John and I were very close friends at Marietta College from the fall of 1961 when we both started there until we finished in 1965. John went to graduate school in New York City and then the Peace Corps. And I went to graduate school and then into the US Air Force instead of letting the Army draft me. John became a teacher and I was a psychiatric social worker in the Air Force. When John got back from the Marshall Islands in the late 60's and desperately needed a job, my father whom John had met visiting my home in Connecticut during our college years, gave John a job at one of the factories he managed, the American Can Co in Oakland. That life was not for John though and so he started teaching in Napa in the fall of 1969. I was out there in CA at that time on vacation and I helped John move his things up from Oakland to Napa. Never forget it.
Oh, I just can't tell you how much I loved the man. Nobody like him. I am deeply moved and saddened by his passing. I am so sorry I could not have said good bye to him. Please forgive me for his sake for not having been in touch with him since we talked at Christmas. Carolyn and Debbie, I am so, so sorry for your loss.
With sincerest condolences,
John
April 23, 2016
To Carolyn and family,
We send our deepest sympathy for the loss of your husband and family. We were happy that we finally got to meet everyone after so many years.
Your cousin, Connie Flickner Frasher and family, Reno, Nevada
Richard & Kathy Crombez
April 19, 2016
John is one of the kindest, most thoughtful people we know. Always asking how we are doing and being very concerned about how we are doing, never complaining about himself. John will be very much missed by both of us.
John with us in Arizona
Charles Strance
April 18, 2016
Dearest Carolyn and Family,
We send our deepest condolences on the passing of John, It has been a joy getting to know him better these last six years. We already miss talking with him and exploring his latest collection of photos and stories. God keep you strong during this time of loss.
Love from Arizona, Charlie and Family
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