Jack Felton Strain

Jack Felton Strain, 91, passed away peacefully surrounded by friends and family on Sunday, October 27, 2024, at Legacy Living and Rehabilitation Center in Gillette, Wyoming, after a short illness. 

Jack was born on October 15, 1933 in Muskogee, Oklahoma. He was raised by his adoptive parents Oscar and Doris Strain on their ranch in Ignacio, Colorado. He spent his early years working with his family on the ranch. He attended school in in Ignacio and played baseball, and football for the high school teams. He loved riding horses and fishing on the Pine River. He also loved spending time with his Navaho and Zuni friends from the nearby reservations.

Upon graduation from High School in 1952 he joined the Navy to serve our country. After boot camp he spent the next 26 months in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. He returned on leave to Colorado and married his High School sweetheart Mariana Procarione in the Catholic church in Durango, Colorado December 4, 1954. Jack and Mariana moved to San Diego, California where Jack finished his Navy Service.

Jack spent his working life in the energy industry all over the mountain west where he was able to pursue his passions for hunting and fishing. 

Jack and Mariana settled in Wyoming where they raised their four children in Rock Springs and Sheridan. After their children were raised, Jack and Mariana moved to Englewood, Colorado where Jack finished his career truck driving and setting up portable MRI units at hospitals around the mountain west. 

Upon retirement Jack and Mariana moved back to Sheridan where Jack was able to fish the rivers and streams of the Big Horn Mountains. He was an active member of the Catholic community. 

In 2015 Jack and Mariana moved to the Primrose Retirement Community in Gillette, Wyoming. Jack occupied his time with his artwork. His heritage showed through his love of Indian beading, painting and carved feathers.

Jack is survived by his wife of 70 years Mariana, his four children: son Andy and his wife Susan from Bright, Indiana. Son Lewis and his wife Carla of Fort Collins, CO. Daughter Anita and her husband Shelley from Gillette, Wyoming. Son Sam, his wife Jennifer of Colorado Springs, CO. Grandchildren Greg, Lauren, Marcella and Landon and 3 great grandchildren Lilly, Violet and Jeremiah.

In 2003, Jack reconnected with his biological family including his brother Harris and sister Aimlie, along with their extended families. This provided Jack with tremendous joy and ultimately provided him with his heritage as a Cherokee Indian. He and his four children were admitted into the Cherokee nation in 2023.

Memorial services will be held at Primrose Retirement Community at 3:00PM on October 31, 2024. Jack will be interned at the Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis, South Dakota. Condolences may be sent in care of Gillette Memorial Chapel 210 West 5th Street, Gillette, WY 82716. Condolences may also be expressed at www.gillettememorialchapel.com