Leslie Caldwell Strange, III, MD
April 23, 1944 - October 2, 2022
Fort Worth, Texas - Leslie Caldwell Strange III, M.D., was born on April 23, 1944, to Leslie Caldwell Strange Jr. and Marie Jean Strange. His proud parents named him Mike, but the hospital filled out his paperwork incorrectly. From that point on, he answered to various names: Leslie Caldwell Strange III, M.D., L.C. Strange III, Mike Strange, Dr. Strange, Dad, and Dandy.
Mike was born and raised in Fort Worth and graduated from Arlington Heights High School in 1962. In 1966, Mike received his undergraduate degree from Southwestern University, where he met his future wife, Susan McCook, whom he married on June 17, 1967. Mike continued his education at U.T. Southwestern Medical School, graduating with a Doctor of Medicine degree in 1970. After completing his otolaryngology residency at Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas in 1975, Mike opened a private practice in Hannibal, Missouri. In 1981 he moved his practice to Fort Worth. Mike loved practicing medicine and connected on a personal level with his patients. He especially enjoyed helping families through his role as a consulting physician at the Child Study Center at Cook Children's in Fort Worth. He retired in 2010.
Mike was a wonderful father to his children Steven and Jenny, and he always made time for family and friends. Many happy memories were made around the large dining room table, as people told stories and laughed. In 2000, Susan passed away from cancer. The way Mike walked through his grief taught his kids so much about life. He played an active role in his children's lives, helping finish planning his daughter Jenny's wedding, organizing vacations, and always keeping family close.
In 2001, Mike's cousin Donna Champagne introduced him to the second love of his life, Christina "Chris" Shahan. On Nov. 29, 2002, they married and settled in Fort Worth. Mike and Chris welcomed each other's children and future spouses with open arms. Family gatherings grew as new family members were added, relationships developed, and a new family was formed. Mike's eight grandchildren were his pride and joy, and they all have special memories of adventures with Dandy. In addition to their family, Mike and Chris shared a love of travel and traveled the world.
Mike is survived by many who love him. His wife, Chris Shahan; son and daughter-in-law, Steven and Karen Strange and their children, Ian and Susan of Round Rock; daughter and son-in-law, Jenny and Dave Tabor and their children, Kate and William of Dallas; stepson and his wife, Travis and Katie Shahan and their children, Luke, Nate, Jack, and Connor of McKinney, Texas; and stepson and his wife, Stephen Shahan and Kate Kamper of Shawnee, Oklahoma; his sister and family, Judy and Ken Wenzel and their children, daughter Lauren and husband, John Biggan; son, Alexander and his future wife, Lori Albritton; cousin, Donna Champagne and husband, Tim; and many other extended family members who love him.
Memorial Service: 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, at Ridglea Presbyterian Church, 5000 Southwest Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76116.
In lieu of flowers, Mike's family requests contributions be made to Ridglea Presbyterian Church (https://www.ridgleapres.org/), which was his home away from home, or to the charity of your choice.