Ira J. Strack

IRA JOSEPH STRACK, 92, of North Little Rock died peacefully early Monday morning, January 13. After battling Alzheimer’s disease for the last four years, Ira decided it was time to go join his wife Mary Lee in Heaven. Known by family, friends, caregivers, and even his financial advisor as the “sweetest, kindest, friendliest man” with a smile that could warm the coldest heart, his was a life well-lived.

Ira was born January 4,1933 in Conway, Arkansas to Louis and Julia Strack, the youngest child of eight. The Strack family then moved to Little Rock, Arkansas when Ira was twelve years old. He graduated from Little Rock Catholic High School in 1950. On January 12, 1950, eight days after his 17th birthday and four months before graduating from high school, Ira enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve. He was called to active duty during the Korean War and served as a Radioman on the USS LSMR 525. He was honorably discharged after four years of service to his country and remained a proud veteran through his years.

In early 1954, Ira married Mary Lee Jablonski and together they shared a most wonderful life for the next 67 years, until Mary Lee passed away in December 2020. After marriage, Ira and Mary Lee lived the rest of their lives in North Little Rock where they were founding members and continually active parishioners of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Ira was a Lifetime Member of the Knights of Columbus. Together with Mary Lee, Ira raised five children. He was a loving, caring, gentle husband, father, and grandfather. He loved playing with the kids and grandkids when they were young and participating in their organized activities as a coach or spectator. Ira enjoyed being outdoors, even if it was just mowing the grass or picking up sticks and leaves in his yard. He was an avid golfer for at least the latter 40 years of his life, but he also had earlier spans of time when he was a fast-pitch softball pitcher, a tennis player, a water-skier, and a bowler – being fairly adept at them all. Ira had a quiet sense of humor, loving practical jokes and harmless pranks that made people smile. His broad, contagious grin was a trademark.

After leaving the Navy, Ira became a forms ruler at International Business Forms. When asked by his children what his job had been in his early career, he would tell them he had been an “International Ruler”. While still serving as an international ruler, Ira bought a printing press and began doing offset printing in the garage of Helen Jablonski, his mother-in-law. In 1966, Ira founded Custom Printing Company. Mary Lee worked with him in the family-owned business, with some help from all of the children at some time or another. In 1990, son Paul joined the Company which continues today as CustomXM. Ira continued to work in some capacity until his early eighties.

In addition to his wife Mary Lee, Ira was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Andrew, Richard, and Lou Strack, and sisters Mildred Krauskop, Clotine Estrada, and Charlotte Harkless. He is survived by his sister Virginia Hall; five children: Kathy Strack, Joe Strack (Donna), Linda Bridges (Steve), Paul Strack (Lisa), and Sharon Gunter (Marc); 12 grandchildren: Billy Strack (Allie), Laura Aday (Steve), Patrick Strack (Taylor), Tony Bridges, Ryan Bridges (Hallie), Chris Bridges (Cara), Michael Strack (Jessie), Matthew Strack (Dom), Amanda Strack, Anna Strack, Lindsey Bulloch (Mac), and Adam Gunter (Kara); and 12 great grandchildren: Reilly, Brooklyn, Rowan, Joseph, Sloane, Miles, Maisie, Palmer, Chloe, Hayes, Camille, and Sophia.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Little Rock Catholic High School or Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in North Little Rock.

Visitation will be held Thursday, January 23 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church at 10:00 a.m., followed by a Rosary at 11:00 a.m. and Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 a.m. Committal and burial will be at 1:00 p.m. at Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery. 

Smith North Little Rock Funeral Home, 1921 Main St., North Little Rock, AR  72114.  501-758-1170.