James William Strachan

James William Strachan, 90, passed away August 27, 2016 at Sentara Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. He was born September 24, 1925 in Elizabeth City (Hampton), VA and is predeceased by his wife, Eugenia (Jeanie) Mae Strachan; parents, Raymond Strachan and Elizabeth Rawlins Dorn; brother, Raymond Strachan, Jr.; and nephew, Alan Strachan.

He is survived by his oldest son, James W. Strachan, Jr. and wife Lorie of Hampton; sons, Edward G. Strachan and wife Debbie of Texas, and Johnny T. Strachan and wife Patty; 6 grandchildren, Todd McCoy, Amy Geller, Tommy Strachan, Amanda Strachan, Jeannie Turner and Jessica Barnick, as well as 7 great-grandchildren; nephew, Brian Strachan (Becky) of Hampton; niece, Shirley Barnes (Mike) of Gloucester; niece, Charlotte Dillow of Hampton; nephew, Ben Copeland, Jr. of Carrollton, as well as several other nieces and nephews by marriage.

Jim joined the U.S. Navy in July 1943 and served his country during World War II as a Gunner’s mate third class. He married Jeanie Mae Stutts in October of 1945 before his honorable discharge from the U.S. Navy in April of 1947. Jim and Jeanie settled in Phoebus and started a family, eventually moving to Wythe. Jim and his brother Raymond ran the Wythe Amoco service station on Kecoughtan Road. Jim was a volunteer firefighter before and after World War II with the Wythe District Fire Department. He went to work for the Post Office at Fort Monroe, retiring in 1985 from the Briarfield station.

Jim & Jeanie settled to the country in Appomattox County, VA and enjoyed many years of traveling, visiting family, and dining at different restaurants. They enjoyed watching the beautiful sunsets over the mountains in the distance from their back porch and especially enjoyed all the wildlife. Jim loved watching Virginia Cavalier football and basketball games, watching westerns on TV, and reading his western novels. He also enjoyed family coming out to the country visiting and going hunting. He was a lifetime member of both the Disabled American Veterans and the American Legion, Post 48, Phoebus.

A graveside service will be held at Parklawn Memorial Park in Hampton on Wednesday, August 31, 2016 at 10:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Wythe Volunteer Fire Company Rescue Squad, Fire Station 3, 1430 Kecoughtan Rd, Hampton, VA 23661 or American Legion Post 48, 221 E. Mellen St, Hampton, VA 23663.

Friends are encouraged to visit www.parklawn-woodfh.com to share memories and words of condolence with the family.

Arrangements are under the care of Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home, 2551 N. Armistead Avenue, Hampton, VA 23666.