Johnny Ray Strong, May 24, 1986 - June 12, 2007, died in the Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was 21 years old. Services were held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 20,2007 at Connelly/Compton Funeral Directors with Bro. Henry Harris officiating. Interment with full military honors followed at Oakwood Cemetery.

Johnny was born on May 24, 1986, in Temple at Scott & White Hospital weighing only 29 and one half ounces. He attended A. J. Moore Academy and, A member of the HOT Young Marines and also joined the Junior ROTC program. During his senior year he enlisted in the Marines. After graduating from A. J. Moore Academy in 2004 he went to boot camp in San Diego.

Johnny was a Marine through and through. He loved serving his country and was serving his second tour in Iraq.

His family and friends will miss his happy, upbeat, outgoing personality more than words can express. His hobbies included bowling, putt-putt, shooting pool, listening to music and playing video games. He also enjoyed playing the piano and going on vacation with his family to the coast.

Johnny leaves behind many family and friends, including his parents, Steven and Jacqueline Williams Strong of Waco; maternal  grandparents, Minerva D.  Williams and Elsworth Williams Jr.; paternal  grandparents, Elizabeth  Merritt and Farrell Jeppesen; many uncles, aunts,  nieces, nephews and  cousins; a very special and loving second family,  Thomas and Gracie  McGlauflin and their children. Among his many  friends were pallbearers Roy Werthen, Poppy Serrano, Angelo Cavazos, Thomas  McGlauflin, Jacob  Romero and Nicholas Blanchard. Honorary pallbearers  were be the A. J.  Moore Class of 2004 and a cousin, Kristopher  Williams, with whom he  shared a close bond. In lieu of flowers, donations  can be made to the Johnny Ray Strong Scholarship Fund at the A. J.  Moore Academy, 500 N. University Parks Drive, Waco, TX 76702. May 24, 1986 - June 12, 2007

By the Mayor of the City of Waco, McLennan County, Texas

In Memory of

L/CpI. Johnny Ray Strong

May 24, 1986 - June 12, 2007

Services

10:00 a.m.

Wednesday, June 20, 2007

Connally/Compton Funeral Directors

Officiating

Bro. Henry Harris

Fernando Arroya

Ruth Cassidy

Bearers

Roy Werthen

Poppy Serrano

Angelo Cavazos

Thomas McGlauflin

Jacob Romero

Nicholas Blanchard

Interment

Oakwood Cemetery

Military Honors

Provided by the

United States Marine Corps

Taps

There will be a great encampment

In the land of clouds today.

A mingling and a merging

Of our boys who've gone away.

Though on earth they are disbanding,

The are very close and near,

For these brave and honored heroes

Show no sorrow, shed no tear.

They have lived a life of glory,

History pins their medals high,

Listen to the thunder rolling,

They are marching in the sky!

                                                                                                                                                                    Arta Nottingham Chappius

One tribute to L/Cpl Strong was the showing of the "Patriot Guard Riders" ("Riding with Respect") Commanded by Steve Cole, Deputy State Captain

for the CenTex PGR. These Patriotic men and women rode in from all over the state of Texas to escort Johnny Strong from the Waco Airport to Connelly-Compton Funeral Home where the stood guard outside with each holding an American Flag so visitors could walk though the Escort Guard under the Banner of our Country.

These men and women, most who have served our Country in the Armed Forces of the United States of America, came at their own expense to show Honor to a Fallen Warrior, who they had never met, but know so well what Johnny Strong went though to keep our Country safe. These men and women then escorted Johnny Strong to the Cemetery wearing their "Colors" proudly.

These are the people our Nation depended on in times of war and peace; and as they served proudly then, they serve proudly now.