Gary Paul Strobel

Gary Paul Strobel

Gary Paul Strobel, 74, of Durham, N.C., passed away Monday, April 28, 2014, at his home.

He was the son of the late Elmer C. Strobel and Anna Catharine Strobel of Akron, Ohio. Gary was born in Akron, graduated from Buchtel High School and attended The University of Akron. He and his family were members of Grace United Church of Christ in Akron. The Strobels lived in Norton for 20 years before moving to Durham in 1989.

Gary was the Human Resources Director at B.F. Goodrich in Akron before relocating to Durham where he became the Human Resources Director for Qualex, Inc., retiring in 2001.

Gary collected and repaired clocks and many of his friends knew him as "the clock man." He was an avid golfer, belonging to the Umstead Pines (formerly Willowhaven) Country Club for 25 years. But his greatest joy was his family and he gathered as many of them as often as he could to his home.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Joy McDonald Strobel; and his proudest legacy, their five children: Karen (Mark) Robertson of Durham, Diane (Bob) Magier of Red Oak, Texas, Steven (Anne) Strobel of Southern Pines, N.C., Jeffrey (Linda) Strobel of Chesterfield, Mo., and John (Jennifer) Strobel of Durham. He leaves 16 grandchildren: Jenny and Brian Robertson, Katie, Sarah and Alex Magier; Dan, Emily, Sam, Becca, Mary Clare, Tom, and Joe Strobel; Grace and Lainie Strobel; and Jack and Maddie Strobel.

He also leaves 17 nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be made to Duke HomeCare and Hospice, Office of Development, 4321 Medical Park Dr., Suite 101, Durham, NC 27704 or for Down Syndrome research at LuMind Foundation, 225 Cedar Hill Street, Suite 200, Marlborough, MA 01752. A memorial celebration will be held in Akron, Ohio, at a future date.