Gary Strong

Gary was born June 18, 1953 in Catonsville, Maryland to Hughie and Jewel Strong. He moved to Arkansas 25 years ago when he married his loving wife, S. Jean Strong (nee Wineland). Gary and Jean have lived in Hot Springs Village for many years.

Before moving to Arkansas, Gary was a Marine, graduating as an Honor Man guide from Boot Camp at Parris Island, South Carolina. (An Honor Man in the Marines is one man selected from the whole graduating class to lead the class - it showed his dedication to the Marine Corps and his fellow Marines and reflected great credit upon him and was in keeping with the highest tradition of The United States Marine Corps.) Gary then went on to serve in the Marines for 3 years at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Gary was an exemplary Marine and received an honorable discharge.

Gary was a loving husband to his wife, Jean. He also was a loving stepfather to Tammy Renee Hanks and John Patrick Helton and treated them as his own. Gary had family and friends in the Chesapeake Bay Area of Maryland as well as his family and many friends in Arkansas, including Sam Rad, who was a very special friend and boss, and by all of Jean’s family in Iowa.

Gary was very caring, social and funny – making us all laugh when he joked around. He was also a really good singer and was always up for Karaoke. His niece, Angela, remembers their turn at Karaoke as one of her best memories.

Gary had a heart of gold – after his brother-in-law passed in November, he called to see how Jean’s sister, Janette, was doing. He was very compassionate and cared about others.

Those left to honor Gary’s memory include his loving wife Jean; several brothers and a sister; stepdaughter, Tammy Renee Hanks (nee Helton); a sister-in-law, Janette; niece, Angela; and nephew, Clint; and good friend, Sam Rad. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother and stepson, John Patrick Helton.

Gary loved serving his country in the Marines and worked hard all of his life. He loved and took good care of his family. He will be missed beyond words. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.grossfuneralhome.com for the Strong family.