Charles Gary Strange

Charles Gary Strange, age 83, of Morristown, beloved husband, father and principal at New Market and White Pine for 26 years and acclaimed principal of Florida schools for 31 years, passed away Saturday, July 27 at Morristown-Hamblen Healthcare System of a heart attack brought on by complications from diabetes. He was born on August 9, 1929 in Detroit, MI to Charles H. and Luvena Hopper Strange and was brought up in the Chestnut Hill area. Mr. Strange was a graduate of Lincoln Memorial University and had a Master’s Degree in Administration of Education from the University of Tennessee. He was a lifelong UT Vols supporter and fan. Among his many accomplishments was the JCEA Principal of the Year. He was loved and respected by teachers and students alike, as he was known for supporting teachers and disciplining students to the best of their abilities. The last 6 years of his life were spent volunteering his time to help students learn in the classroom at White Pine Schools. In Florida, earlier in his career, he served on many statewide education committees such as textbook, teacher recruitment, ethics, and professional rights and responsibilities. He was an athletic official for many years and was very proud to have been the Dean of the SW Florida Athletic Association. In Florida, he was a member of the Civitan Club, Loin’s Club, Who’s Who in Education, and Phi Delta Kappa. Mr. Strange had been a lifelong Methodist, but in his later years joined the out-of-town fellowship of Berachah Church in Houston, TX. He is survived by his wife of 22 years, retired schoolteacher Anita Trentham Strange of Morristown; mother-in-law, Jessie Drinnon Trentham of Jefferson City; daughters, Robyn Strange, Nona (Tim) Nychyk, Charla (George) Fox all of Fort Myers, FL, Jessica Greene of Knoxville; grandchildren Michael Barnes, Gary Nychyk, Rebecca Nychyk, Tim Nychyk, Brandis Rodrigues and Raina Hughes; 7 great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews and the “outlaws” as he called them and a host of friends. The family will gather at Stubblefield Funeral Home at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 30, 2013 for a 6:00 p.m. memorial service. People are invited to share stories of Mr. Strange. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the libraries of New Market and White Pine Schools. Arrangements by Stubblefield Funeral Home in Morristown, TN.