James Richard Strahan

STRAHAN James Richard Strahan, age 59, passed away peacefully after a long and valiant battle with multiple myeloma on Wednesday, May 7, 2008 at Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Center in Baton Rouge, LA. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather; a good son, brother, and friend to many. He is survived by his wife of 27 years, Candace Verlander Strahan; his parents, Luther Ray and Bettye Jom Strahan of Ruston, LA; a daughter Janet S. Fetgatter and husband Thomas of Crestview, Fl; sons James R Strahan Jr. (Rick) and Chad Christopher Strahan of Dothan, Al; daughter-in-law Tonya A Strahan of Enterprise, Al; brother Kenneth Strahan and wife Lilly of Harvey, LA, sister Katherine S. Hart and husband Steve of Lafitte, La; nine grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. Also survived by parents-in-law Harry and Lissette Verlander of New Orleans, La., and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by a brother Thomas Strahan and a daughter Stephanie Dawn Strahan. Born in Gladewater, TX, he was a long-time resident of the New Orleans area and then of Bay St. Louis, MS for over 21 years, residing in Picayune, MS since Hurricane Katrina in 2005. A U.S. Army Veteran of the Vietnam War, awarded the Bronze Star. Graduate of the U.S. Army Aviation School, Ft. Rucker, Al as a helicopter pilot with rank of Warrant Officer. He went on to attain his fixed wing pilot's license as well. He attended the University of New Orleans after leaving the service, receiving his BS in Geology. He later earned an MS from the University of South Mississippi in Hydrography. Employed for 20 years as a petroleum exploration geophysicist in New Orleans for Amoco and Texaco, he had been working as an oceanographer for the Naval Oceanographic Office at Stennis Space Center, Bay St. Louis, MS for the past few years until his death. He was also co-owner of the former Screendoor Graphics Inc. with his wife. Member of The New Orleans Geological Society, The Hydrographic Society, American Legion Post 139, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and Disabled American Veterans. Past member of Bay-Waveland Yacht Club, Bienville Club, Diamondhead flying Club, Gulf Coast Shotokan Karate Club, Society of Exploration and Geophysics, and American Association of Petroleum Geologists. He was a Christian and a Baptist. Friends and relatives are invited to join in a Memorial Celebration of Life on Friday, May 16, 2008 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at his wife's home in New Orleans, LA. A Memorial Service will take place at the Weldon Baptist Church in Bernice, La on Sunday, May 18, 2008 at 2:00 PM. Edmond Fahey Funeral Home in Bay St. Louis, MS is in charge of the arrangements.