John E. Strange, Jr.

Lexington, South Carolina - Colonel John E. Strange, Jr., 87, U.S. Air Force (Ret) went to be with the Lord after a long battle with cancer. He leaves behind to forever cherish his memory, his beloved wife Darleen M. Strange, their precious daughters Dana Salters (Frank) Of Red Bank, S.C and Debra Daney (Lee) Of Colorado Springs, CO. and grandson Michael Daney of Colorado Springs, CO. John's funeral will be private, as he requested, and will be held at the Fort Jackson National Cemetery with Full Military Honors on Tuesday, August, 30th. A private luncheon will follow at the Club. Moseley Funeral Home will be in charge of the service in conjunction with Shaw Air Force Base. Born in Columbia, South Carolina, John was the only child of the late John E. Strange, Sr., and Allena Ashmore Strange of Columbia. He was baptized in First Baptist Church in Columbia, where his parents were active members. His mother taught math for 40 years in Columbia public schools, and his father was a grocery store manager. John and Darleen married young, and Darleen worked for Seibels Bruce Insurance Co. while John went to college and graduated from the University of South Carolina (Go Gamecocks!). He was in the Air Force ROTC Program and graduated with a commission and made the Air Force his career for 24 years. He and Darleen traveled the world with their 2 daughters and loved every minute of it, except when he was in Vietnam for 13 months. John and Darleen kept a journal of their "love story" in which they wrote poems to each other. They were hand-holding sweethearts to the very end. Colonel Strange was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in May 1957. He graduated from the University of South Carolina and received his Masters Degree from the University of Maryland. He was also a graduate of the Air Command and Staff College, the Industrial College of the Armed Forces and the Air War College. His duty assignments included: two 3-year tours in Japan (in Tokyo and at Itazuka Air Force Base) a 4-year tour in Wiesladen, Germany at Headquarters, United States Air Forces-Europe; one year in the Air Force Institute of Technology's Educationâ€"with Industry Program at Lockheed-Georgia Company in Marietta, G.A., a Joint Services Tour with the Defense Logistics Agrncy on Long Island, N.Y., a tour at Headquarters, Military Airlift Command, Scott Air Force Base, IL and a 1968 assignment in Southeast Asia (SEA). His last assignment was as Chief of Staff, Headquarters, Air Force Contract Management Division, Albuquerque, N.M. He retired from the Air Force in 1981. His decorations included the Legion of Merit Medal, the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal (10LC), the Vietnam Service Medal (4 battle stars), the Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Expeditionary Forces Medal, the Presidential Unit Citation, the Air Force Outstanding Unit Medal (10LC), the Vietnam Gallantry Cross with PALM, plus other decorations. Colonel Strange was a member of The Retired Officers Association and the Air Force Association and of course The Carolina Alumni Association. Go Gamecocks! John was preceded in death by parents, listed above, and 2 premature infant daughters, Nancy Elise and Deidra Lynn. He told Darleen he would be with them and love them until she could join them later, and they could all be together to greet the other when they arrive in Heaven. The family wishes to thank the Staff of Presbyterian Community of S.C. for their loving care during John's long illness. Also, Abbey Road Hospice and, of course, a big hug and thanks to all of our wonderful friends, residents and staff at the Presbyterian Community, who offered so many prayers. In lieu of flowers (not allowed at the cemetery) memorials may be made to PCSC Foundation (Columbia) at 2817 Ashland Rd., Columbia, SC 29210-5009.