David W. Strack

BETHANY, Okla. — David Wesley Strack, born Oct. 20, 1924, in Blairsville, Pa., passed away from complications of Alzheimer's disease on Feb. 4, 2010. He will be lovingly remembered and missed by his family and many friends in the East Texas and Oklahoma City areas. He graduated from New Lyme Demming High School in 1942.
Dr. Strack served in the 82nd Airborne Division in Germany during World War II. He graduated from Pasadena College in Pasadena, Calif. and was ordained as a minister in the Church of the Nazarene. He received his masters from Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas and his Ph.D from LSU-Shreveport.
The Strack family moved to Marshall, Texas in 1964. Dr. Strack was the pastor for many years at First Church of the Nazarene in Marshall, and was also the camp manager for the Dallas District Nazarene Church campground in Scottsville, Texas before his retirement.
Dr. Strack taught math and science for many years at Elysian Fields, Texas High School and also was a substitute teacher in the Marshall ISD. He viewed teaching as a way to be a positive influence in the lives of his students. His family was very proud that he earned his doctoral degree from LSU, rather than it being an honorary conferral.
He and his wife Christine moved from Marshall, Texas to Bethany, Okla. in 1985, where they resided until his death. Before their move to Marshall, Dr. Strack pastored churches in Pittsburgh, Pa., Portales and Artesia, N.M. and Brownwood, Paris and Carthage, Texas.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Christine Strack of Bethany, Okla.; two daughters, Mollie Strack Lea and husband Mike Lea of Spring, Texas and Martha Strack of Venus, Texas; four grandchildren, John Lea, Greg Lea, Reagan Lea and Adam Strack and his wife, Christine; four great-grandchildren, Logan Lea, Marley Lea, Austin Strack and David Strack; his brother, William Strack and wife Dorothy of Conneaut, Ohio; several nieces and nephews; and many friends.
Services were held Mon., Feb. 8th, at Mercer-Adams Chapel, Bethany, Okla.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the American Alzheimer's Association to aid in research for a cure to this devastating disease.
Obituary and condolences at www.mercer-adams.com and starbeacon.com.