He was born in Cardwell, Missouri and his family moved to Buna, Texas when he was young. He has been a resident of Sulphur for the last 34 years, moving from Beaumont, Texas. Bobby was graduate of Buna High School, Lamar University and obtained his Master’s Degree in Education Administration from Sam Houston State University. He was a beloved coach and teacher for many years at East Chambers I.S.D. in Winnie, Texas, coaching many district winning teams in football and basketball, and taking his 1964 basketball team to the Texas Regional Finals. He also coached one of ECISD’s great athletes, Glen Gaspard to a National Letter of Intent to play football as a Texas Longhorn for 4 years under Coach Darrell K. Royal. He served ECISD as Athletic Director and taught chemistry and algebra in the classroom. He was inducted into the ECISD Athletic Hall of Fame in 2006. He retired from education and coaching in 1974 as he pursued a career in the insurance and financial services industry. He owned the Fincannon Insurance Agency in Winnie and held a CLU, ChFC designation from the prestigious American College of Financial Services. He was successful as a coach and teacher and as a business person in many realms, fully retiring to enjoy his accomplishments in 2007.
Survivors include his wife of 34 years, Judith LeDoux Chargois Stratton of Sulphur; his children, Sabrina Stratton Ashworth and husband, Lee of Baytown; Kyle G. Stratton and wife, Lori of Beaumont; Michelle Stratton Harris of Houston; Von E. Chargois and wife, Rhonda of Sulphur; and KK Graff of Sulphur; his brother, James Stratton and wife, Kathy of Houston; his grandchildren, Andrew Stratton and wife, Lisa; Barclay Stratton and wife Lia; Krysten LeBlanc Baham and husband, Ben; Anastasia Ashworth, Jon Thomas Chargois and wife Paige; Taylor Chargois Dollens, Ariana Ashworth Harris and husband, Forrest; Katelyn Chargois, and Aly Bobo; and 12 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, Jethro Paul Stratton and Verna Maybell Darden Stratton; and his sister, Sue Stratton Colton.
A Celebration of Bobby’s Life will be held on Sunday, December 15th at Hixson-Sulphur Memorial Funeral Home. Inurnment will be in Mimosa Pines Cemetery South in Carlyss at a later date. The family will receive friends at 1:00 p.m. with the service beginning at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 15. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you contribute to the “Coach Bobby Stratton Memorial Athletic Scholarship Fund” to be administered by the East Chambers I.S.D. Education Foundation. Donations can be made via mail to ECEF, 270 School Road, Winnie, Texas 77665, or online at ecisdef.com/support-us.
