Jimmie Strong, 81, went home to be with Jesus Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at his residence in Dowagiac.

He was born Aug. 3, 1929, the fourth child of Aaron and Lola (Bennett) Strong. He married Dora Alexander in Chicago.

He was employed at TL Arzt’s Foundry as a shop manager until 1978. He moved his family to Dowagiac in 1970. He then obtained employment with Sealed Power (now SPX), Dowagiac.

Jimmie enjoyed taking family vacations, visiting with his grandchildren, gardening, listening to old-time spirituals and watching television, especially old westerns.

He served two years in the U.S. Army as a cook and six years in the Army Reserves.  Mr. Strong was a lifetime member of the 92nd AFA-BN-Red Devils and the VFW.

Jimmie confessed Jesus Christ at an early age. He worshiped at Chain Lake Missionary Baptist Church, where he served as a trustee, and was the chairman of the Men’s Day Program. He sang second lead in the quartet with the Beacon Men’s Gospel of Chicago.

Mr. Strong is survived by and leaves to mourn his wife of many years. They have seven children, Phillip Strong and Lola O’Neal, both of Chicago, Connie Moore of Gainesville, Va., Threasa (Glen) Hawkins of Kalamazoo, Mechele Strong of Atlanta, Phellicia Sorsby of Waldorf, Md., and Roderick Strong of Philadelphia. He was abundantly blessed with 17 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. He will be missed by his three sisters, Alice Lawery of Chicago, Alberta Lewis of South Haven and Roberta McCoy of Dowagiac; two sisters-in-law, Leona Strong and Pearl Strong, both of Chicago; and the many brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Aaron and Lola; two sisters, Izola Reynolds and Betsy Mae Strong, and three brothers, Andrew Strong, Earnest Strong and Roosevelt Strong.

Family and friends gathered on Saturday, July 23, 2011 from 10 a.m. until time of service at noon at Chain Lake Missionary Baptist Church (Chain Lake Street, two miles east of Calvin Center Road), Cassopolis.

Military honors were provided by the U.S. Army and the combined honor guard of the William E. Lozier VFW Post 10704 and the Efton James American Legion Post 206, Cassopolis.

The Revs. Norman Tubbs and Rayvon Bufkin officiated.

Interment was at Mission Hills Memorial Gardens, Sumnerville.

The family prefers memorial contributions be made to Cass COA, P.O. Box 5, Cassopolis, MI 49031, or Wings of Hope Hospice, 530 Linn St., Allegan, MI 49010.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Connelly Chapel, Wagner Family Funerals, Cassopolis.

Online condolences may be posted at wagnercares.com.