Oliver Perry Strawn Jr.

1925 - 2023

Oliver Perry Strawn, Jr. passed away peacefully surrounded by family on November 13, 2023, from pneumonia. Oliver was born in Martinsville, Virginia, on November 30, 1925, the son of Nancy Main and Oliver Perry Strawn. He studied mechanical engineering at Virginia Polytechnic Institute (now Virginia Tech). His college years were interrupted by WWII, when Oliver was drafted and served two years in the Navy on Whidbey Island, Washington, calibrating torpedoes for PBY aircraft. He was awarded the American Area Campaign Medal and the World War II Victory Medal. Following his honorable discharge as a Motor Machinist's Mate 3c from the Navy, he returned to VPI to graduate with his BS in Mechanical Engineering in 1950; he obtained his Professional Engineer certification in 1959; and subsequently earned his MS in Mechanical Engineering, also from VPI, in 1965.

Oliver married his childhood sweetheart Ocie Sampson Hurd on September 4, 1948, and they lived in Martinsville and Roanoke before settling in the house Oliver designed for them in Blacksburg in 1963. In addition to working as a professional engineer all of his life, Oliver was extremely active in his community. Instrumental in launching a local branch of the Republican Party in Montgomery County in the late 1950s, he remained active in the party until he left the area in 2018. He was also involved with and held many leadership roles in both the Blacksburg Host Lions Club and the Blacksburg Baptist Church. He believed deeply in the value of community service and was an avid patriot.

In 2018, Oliver moved to the community at Brookdale Lake Ridge in Woodbridge, Virginia, where he enjoyed the company of fellow residents, spent a great deal of time with his family, and was surrounded and supported by extremely kind, competent and loving caregivers.

Oliver lived every moment of life to the hilt - his charm and energy were legendary and he lit up a room just by walking in. An avid ballroom dancer, he studied at Fred Astaire and competed successfully for many years. He inspired his children and many others with his talent and joy for dancing.

Oliver was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; and his brother Ralph Clinton Strawn. Those who will continue to celebrate his life and cherish his memory include his children: Michael (Julie McKee), of Lexington, KY; Natalie Kelly (Joe), of Colonial Beach, VA; Ellen Najjar (Anwar), of Manassas, VA; and Perri (Bill Kunze), of Penn Valley, PA; his grandchildren: Michael (Denise) of Burke, VA; Liz Graham (Jeff), of Glenside, PA; Nora Hitt (Matt), of Rixeyville, VA; and Noelle Wheaton (Bill), of Glen Allen, VA; his great-grandchildren: Evan Strawn, Caroline Graham, Wyatt Strawn, Mitchell Wheaton and Margot Wheaton; his steadfast companion and dancing partner Trudy Jeannin; and his beloved kitty cat Sugar, who now resides in Colonial Beach, VA. Oliver deeply loved every one of his family members as well as all of the members of the extended Strawn clan. A Celebration of Life is planned at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Oliver P. Strawn, Jr. Scholarship at Virginia Tech. Please indicate Fund # 861423 if donating by check or when donating online at https://give.vt.edu. And please make sure that you and everyone you know is registered to vote and has a plan to vote in any upcoming election, as Oliver would have urged you to do!