Josh Strasner

BROWNWOOD Harold Walker (Josh) Strasner II, 49, of Brownwood, Texas, died on July 8, 2014. He was "surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses... and ran with perseverance the race marked out for him" (Hebrews 12: 1-3) during his entire three year battle with cancer. He was at home surrounded by family and friends at the time of his passing. Josh was a man of God and spent most of his life on a faith journey seeking to understand and form a relationship with his savior Jesus Christ. He accomplished this in a way that allowed him to help others in need, especially as he battled cancer during his final three years. His blog, "Strasners Box of Chocolates" (http://strasnersbox.blogspot.com/), written in his final months, was originally planned to be a series of posts for his children; ultimately it provided inspiration, motivation, and smiles to thousands of readers. After attending San Angelo Central HS, Josh graduated from Southwest Texas State with an MIS degree. Josh's successful career in IT consulting took him across the US and around the world. He eventually joined Logica (now CGI) and was promoted to the position of CEO and Vice President, North America. Josh and his family wish to thank both companies for their generosity and support during his battle with cancer. Away from work, Josh loved fishing, cycling and travel. He was known as one of the world's best and funniest story tellers. Josh's family was the love of his life. He is survived by Nancy Gill Strasner, his wife of 29 years, and two remarkable children, Sarah, 19, a student at Tulane University, and Ross, 7. He loved his children and always put their needs above his own. He is also survived by his mother, Deene Sproul and husband C.R., of Eldorado; and two sisters, Valerie Palmer and husband Tom, and Nancy Stephenson and husband Greg, both of Dallas; as well as numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. Josh was preceded in death by his father, Harold W. Strasner, whom he greatly admired; and loving grandparents. He said that he was looking forward to seeing them in the Glory! There will be a graveside service at 11 a.m. on July 11, in Eastlawn Cemetery in Early, Texas. A memorial service will be held at 9 a.m. on July 14, at Clear Lake Presbyterian Church, in Houston, Texas. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Clear Lake Presbyterian Church Memorial Fund. Gifts given in memory of Josh will be designated to a colon cancer awareness fund of the family's choosing.