Eddie Gene Strother, age 74, of Ink, Arkansas, went home to be with his Heavenly Father on Tuesday morning, October 31, 2023. Eddie was born on Tuesday, February 8, 1949, in Mena, Arkansas, to LD “Elgie” and Opal Strother.
Eddie, known for his strong character and leadership, was a loving family man who found delight in life’s simple pleasures. He was an extremely hard worker, always providing for his family and teaching his sons how to be good upstanding men. Eddie served proudly in the United States Army stationed overseas on the DMZ in Korea. Any job he had, his intuition, efficiency, and ability to get people to work their hardest always led him into leadership roles. His appreciation for traditional country tunes of George Jones and Johnny Cash reflected his tastes and interests.
An outdoors enthusiast, Eddie was an avid hunter who believed in the appeal of the great outdoors. His running foxhounds, always a subject of admiration, won multiple field trials in the 1970’s, later fostering his interest in training beagle hunting dogs. His favorite pastimes highlighted his love for nature; he loved fishing, camping, and spending quality time with his sons, grandsons and granddaughters in the wild, imparting his knowledge to the younger generations.
Eddie’s favorite local spots to take his family were the deer camps, where he showed his grandkids the thrill of hunting and fishing. His favorite vacation spots were anywhere he could fish, hunt, and camp. Under his stern yet self-assured demeanor lied a heart that found joy in sharing his passions with his loved ones.
Remembered by many as The Wood Hauler, his CB name, Eddie was a paragon of hard work who believed in doing things right the first time. He garnered accolades for efficiency and superior work ethic, a testament to his skillset and dedication.
Eddie’s legacy extends beyond his personal accomplishments. His family remembers him as a man who loved deeply. His children and grandchildren were his world, and he cherished every moment spent with his brothers on camping trips. His paramount joy was being surrounded by family in the heart of nature, something he considered the best life could offer.
With a life marked by love, hard work, and a devotion to simple pleasures, Eddie Strother leaves behind a legacy of strength, diligence, and family unity.
Lastly, but most importantly, at about 6 years ago, Eddie gave his life to Jesus Christ and became a born again, child of God. We know he is with Jesus.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Janice Evans; brother in law, Billy Henry; and one infant brother and one infant sister.
Eddie is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Colleen Strother of Mena; two sons, and daughters-in-law, Tim and Jewell Strother of Mena, and Stacy and Priscilla Strother of Siloam Springs; brothers and sisters-in-law, JB and Gayle Strother of Hatfield, Freddie and Beverly Strother of Eagleton, Ronnie and Liz Strother of Yocana, Jerry and Kathy Strother of Ink; two sisters, Lou Henry of Mena, and Carolyn Marquardt of Ink; one brother-in-law, David Evans of Ink; six grandchildren, Blake Strother and wife Megan, Brock Strother, McKenzie Strother, Braxlie Bishop and husband Quinn, and Autumn Strother, Trevor Brown; two great-grandchildren, Daya Brown and Everest Bishop; several nephews and nieces and a host of other relatives and friends.
A funeral service was held on Friday, November 3, 2023, at 1:00 PM, at the Bowser Family Funeral Home Chapel in Mena, Arkansas, with Brother Stacy Strother officiating. Interment followed at the Concord Cemetery in Ink, Arkansas, under the direction of Bowser Family Funeral Home in Mena, Arkansas. A visitation was held prior to the service on Friday, November 3, 2023, from 12:00 – 1:00 PM, at the Bowser Family Funeral Home Chapel in Mena, Arkansas.
Pallbearers were Blake Strother, Brock Strother, Quinn Bishop, Adam Strother, Jacob Strother and Elgie “Razz” Evans.
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