Submit Your Condolence
All condolence submissions are moderated for legitimacy and appropriateness before posting online. Your email address will not be published.
Leave a Reply to HARRY LANGE Cancel reply
Ronald Thomas Strachan
On September 9, 2023, at the age of 91, Ronald Thomas Strachan bid adieu to his earthly form, and boarded the flight to his next adventure.Born February 27, 1932, to Thomas and Blanche Strachan, Ron spent his youth in Dayton, OH. He was a first generation American and the youngest of six siblings.
Upon graduating from Wilber Wright High School, Ron joined the Navy and proudly served in the Korean War. After his discharge, he attended the University of Dayton where he earned a degree in Civil Engineering and met the love of his life Dana. The two married and moved to Pittsburgh, PA where he was employed by United States Steel, American Bridge Division, designing and working on the nation’s infrastructure. He and Dana had four children, Kevin, Brian, Clark, and Ronda, and built a life replete with little league and midget football games, swim and dive meets, dance recitals, hunting, and fishing. If you needed a raffle ticket sold, a concession stand run, or a fort in the woods built, he was your man. He also spent countless hours carving waterfowl, at which he became quite adept, and was quite an accomplished carpenter and wood worker.
After retiring from US Steel, he moved to Nags Head, NC, and continued engineering. On the Outer Banks, chances are if you lived in it, worked in it, walked by it, drove on or over it, or ate in it, he probably had a hand in the engineering.
In 2003 Ron opened Ol’ Henry’s Custom Leatherworks and was able to devote his time to his exquisite leathercrafts and gun store. He was a member of the Single Action Shooting Society and loved participating in the matches. He was also one of the original founding members of the Outer Banks Gun Club, designing and building the range in Stumpy Point, the regions only public shooting facility. He held NRA certifications as a firearms instructor and concealed carry instructor.
To say Ron loved Bluegrass music would be a huge understatement. As long as he was able, he attended every day of the Outer Banks Bluegrass Festival and traveled with friends to as many festivals as he could. He was the honorary manager of The Outer Banks Gospel Bluegrass Band, whose members continued to have picking sessions at Ron’s house when he could no longer travel.
Ron was predeceased by his wife Dana and his youngest son, Clark; parents Thomas and Blanche; brothers George and Francis; sisters Theresa, Claire, and Louise.
Ron was survived by sons Kevin (Brook) Sioux Falls, SD, Brian (Domenic) Collegeville, PA, and daughter Ronda (Gordon) Nags Head, NC.
Ron’s larger-than-life personality meant that he never met a stranger, and he was always willing and eager to lend a hand. If you needed help, he gave it. If you needed a shoulder, he always had one available. If you just needed a good story, he had loads of those too! He will be sorely missed.
The memorial mass will be held at St. Katharine Drexel Catholic church in Maple NC Wednesday, September 27, 2023 at 11 am. Gallop Funeral Services is entrusted with the arrangements. Please share your condolences with the family at gallopfuneralservices.com.
Condolences
to the family i am so sorry to here of RON'S passing. he was truly the real icon of the OUTER BANKS. I dare say that their wasn't any avid shooters, sportsmen and women that didn't LOVE AND RESPECT the CAPTAIN. We will miss talking to him and also getting my update reports from CHARLESS MINTON. He was truly the MAN. BOBBY T.
Ron’s obit is spot on …..REST IN PEACE thoughts and prays with family
Uncle Ron knew how to make a person feel like they mattered and that they mattered to him, regardless of how many miles or how much time was between the two of us. Love ya Ron
Sending our deepest condolences and love to the family.
He sounds like s wonderful man and I’m sure he will be missed greatly. God Bless🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 my condolences to the family. Brian is my friend. ❤️
Ron u and Dana were great people I will never forget u two love u barry
Hugs, lots of love and prayers to you all! Ronda, I have so many memories of Christmas Eve dinners and Thanksgiving at your house. He will truly be missed.
Ronda Sorry to hear about the passing of your father, sending condolences to you and your family.
So very sorry to hear of Mr. Ron's passing. I always enjoyed visiting with him at his shop or being invited to his family gatherings with Clark. Rest In Peace buddy.
to ron's kids... thanks for sharing your dad with us..I was his mailman at ol henry's. I violated postal regulations by not putting his mail in his mailbox.. Instead, I'd bring it in-enjoy his company- especially when there was a bunch of yahoos in there.. There is no better eulogy than saying-Ron was a good man......
We are so very sorry for your family's loss. I will miss my phone conversations with Uncle Ron very much. He was so full of life and his stories were usually larger than life :). He was a lovely man, cared deeply for his family, and most certainly left his mark wherever he invested his time. May he rest in peace. Carla Spatz Lakatos
Rhonda I am so sorry to hear about Ron's passing, he was a great person and always alot of help to me when he lived in the Cove and while I worked at Town of Nags Head! I really liked him! Skip Lange
So sorry for your loss. Prayers for all. He was a great man and well be missed by all.
Ron was such a fine man . I always enjoyed talking to him . He will surely be missed. God bless him and his family.
He will be missed by all. Nor made the best burned out chicken ever ease on down the road Mr Strachan
Ron was definitely one of a kind, his good nature and laughter brightened everyone he met. I shot with him and Clark at ECSASS and bought cas toys from him when he had his shop. He will be missed. My condolences to his family.
I am very sorry to know that Ron is deceased. I liked him very much and knew him well enough to know that he was a real man and did a good job of living with integrity. I expect he has wonderful children and grandchildren,,,
I first met Ol’ Henry, aka Ron, when I went to watch my husband shoot with EC SASS. I decided I’d like to give cowboy shooting a try. I got me shotgun from Ron. He also made me a shotgun belt and loading block. His laughter and encouragement helped me lose my nervousness about joining the club. George and I loved talking with him. Praying for God’s comfort to surround all of you. Martha & George aka Carolina Schoolmarm & Halffast
Barry and I send our deepest sympathy in the passing of your father, Ronnie. We had not heard from him in a couple of weeks so decided to check obits and found his. He and Dana were two of the best friends we had through the years. May he rest in peace. Norma and Barry Roberts
We enjoyed seeing Ron at Church as long as he was able to come. Clarence had fun visiting at his house and listening to his stories. He will be missed. Thoughts and prayers to all his family.
To all in the family: I am very sorry to hear of your loss of Ron. He was a character! One of the nicest, most gregarious people I have ever met. Got to know him through his Ol' Henry's business. It was never a stop in and pick up what I had ordered ... it was a visit. Ron is someone that everyone who ever met him will always remember him. He will be missed.
My sincere condolences to Ron’s family.
He was a great friend. .
Ron is the reason I have such a repertoire of mutual friends, clients, firearms and leather goods to remind me of how much he inspired me in my own life. He, his stories, his extreme knowledge of life will be greatly missed. My prayers go out daily to the family. Love you Ron. I know you will finally be able to rest in peace.
A beautiful, talented and colorful man. Feel very privileged to have worked with him and spending time with him. Peace to his family, I know he will be missed.
Ron was my buddy, easy to talk to and always has a great story to tell. He was the kind of guy who never met a stranger. He will be sorely missed and we all stand diminished by his passing. May he Rest in Peace.
Ronda, What a blessing it was to have known your Dad. He was an awesome person and I miss seeing and visiting with him at the rehab center. He always greeted everyone with a big smile and no matter how he felt that day, he always gave a thumbs up and said I'm doing great! He was such an inspiration and will be greatly missed. I know the days ahead without him will be hard, but I pray that God will provide you and your family with the peace and comfort that only HE can. With Deepest Sympathy and love always.
Ron was such a good friend, always interesting to talk to and generous with his friends and others. We will truly miss him!
I met Ron in 1987 at the Dixie Deer and Knife Classic. I was new to the gun and knife show business. All the tables were sold out. Ron offered one of his tables to me as long as I bought him lunch at the show the next two days. We had a grand time eating those hot dogs that at best were about a 5 on the scale One to Ten. That was not the point. That weekend I was blessed to be given my first chance of meeting a FIRST CLASS MAN. I have more story's about the man however he was near and dear to my heart. I will miss him greatly.
Heaviest of hearts go out to Mr.Ron & family. Very blessed to have had him as a roommate at Currituck health and rehab in Barco NC. He truly was the life of the party & a bundle of Joy, knowledge, and wisdom :-) . He once said ''I don't know how I got this old'', which spoke toward his fortitude & wit. Take care Kevin in the Dakotas for your kindness especially the laughter, Gatorade, chips and cookies. Lastly to Rhonda- I leave the center next week (1st week of October 2023). I appreciate your friendship, fried chicken, and a listening ear.
It's New Years Eve day and I and my brother, Vernon were with Ron for New Years Eve 77 years ago in Dayton, Ohio. I had tried to find Ron for years and this morning, in Toledo, Ohio, I happily found him.
to the family i am so sorry to here of RON’S passing. he was truly the real icon of the OUTER BANKS. I dare say that their wasn’t any avid shooters, sportsmen and women that didn’t LOVE AND RESPECT the CAPTAIN. We will miss talking to him and also getting my update reports from CHARLESS MINTON. He was truly the MAN. BOBBY T.
Ron’s obit is spot on …..REST IN PEACE
thoughts and prays with family
Uncle Ron knew how to make a person feel like they mattered and that they mattered to him, regardless of how many miles or how much time was between the two of us. Love ya Ron
Sending our deepest condolences and love to the family.
He sounds like s wonderful man and I’m sure he will be missed greatly. God Bless🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 my condolences to the family. Brian is my friend. ❤️
Ron u and Dana were great people I will never forget u two love u barry
Hugs, lots of love and prayers to you all! Ronda, I have so many memories of Christmas Eve dinners and Thanksgiving at your house. He will truly be missed.
Ronda
Sorry to hear about the passing of your father, sending condolences to you and your family.
So very sorry to hear of Mr. Ron’s passing. I always enjoyed visiting with him at his shop or being invited to his family gatherings with Clark. Rest In Peace buddy.
to ron’s kids… thanks for sharing your dad with us..I was his mailman at ol henry’s. I violated postal regulations by not putting his mail in his mailbox.. Instead, I’d bring it in-enjoy his company- especially when there was a bunch of yahoos in there.. There is no better eulogy than saying-Ron was a good man……
We are so very sorry for your family’s loss. I will miss my phone conversations with Uncle Ron very much. He was so full of life and his stories were usually larger than life :). He was a lovely man, cared deeply for his family, and most certainly left his mark wherever he invested his time. May he rest in peace. Carla Spatz Lakatos
Rhonda I am so sorry to hear about Ron’s passing, he was a great person and always alot of help to me when he lived in the Cove and while I worked at Town of Nags Head! I really liked him! Skip Lange
So sorry for your loss. Prayers for all. He was a great man and well be missed by all.
Ron was such a fine man . I always enjoyed talking to him . He will surely be missed. God bless him and his family.
He will be missed by all. Nor made the best burned out chicken ever ease on down the road Mr Strachan
Ron was definitely one of a kind, his good nature and laughter brightened everyone he met. I shot with him and Clark at ECSASS and bought cas toys from him when he had his shop. He will be missed. My condolences to his family.
I am very sorry to know that Ron is deceased. I liked him very much and knew him well enough to know that he was a real man and did a good job of living with integrity. I expect he has wonderful children and grandchildren,,,
I first met Ol’ Henry, aka Ron, when I went to watch my husband shoot with EC SASS. I decided I’d like to give cowboy shooting a try. I got me shotgun from Ron. He also made me a shotgun belt and loading block. His laughter and encouragement helped me lose my nervousness about joining the club. George and I loved talking with him.
Praying for God’s comfort to surround all of you.
Martha & George
aka Carolina Schoolmarm & Halffast
Barry and I send our deepest sympathy in the passing of your father, Ronnie. We had not heard from him in a couple of weeks so decided to check obits and found his. He and Dana were two of the best friends we had through the years. May he rest in peace.
Norma and Barry Roberts
We enjoyed seeing Ron at Church as long as he was able to come. Clarence had fun visiting at his house and listening to his stories. He will be missed. Thoughts and prayers to all his family.
To all in the family: I am very sorry to hear of your loss of Ron. He was a character! One of the nicest, most gregarious people I have ever met. Got to know him through his Ol’ Henry’s business. It was never a stop in and pick up what I had ordered … it was a visit. Ron is someone that everyone who ever met him will always remember him. He will be missed.
My sincere condolences to Ron’s family.
He was a great friend.
.
Ron is the reason I have such a repertoire of mutual friends, clients, firearms and leather goods to remind me of how much he inspired me in my own life. He, his stories, his extreme knowledge of life will be greatly missed. My prayers go out daily to the family. Love you Ron. I know you will finally be able to rest in peace.
A beautiful, talented and colorful man. Feel very privileged to have worked with him and spending time with him. Peace to his family, I know he will be missed.
Ron was my buddy, easy to talk to and always has a great story to tell. He was the kind of guy who never met a stranger. He will be sorely missed and we all stand diminished by his passing. May he Rest in Peace.
Ronda, What a blessing it was to have known your Dad. He was an awesome person and I miss seeing and visiting with him at the rehab center. He always greeted everyone with a big smile and no matter how he felt that day, he always gave a thumbs up and said I’m doing great! He was such an inspiration and will be greatly missed. I know the days ahead without him will be hard, but I pray that God will provide you and your family with the peace and comfort that only HE can. With Deepest Sympathy and love always.
Ron was such a good friend, always interesting to talk to and generous with his friends and others. We will truly miss him!
I met Ron in 1987 at the Dixie Deer and Knife Classic. I was new to the gun and knife show business. All the tables were sold out. Ron offered one of his tables to me as long as I bought him lunch at the show the next two days. We had a grand time eating those hot dogs that at best were about a 5 on the scale One to Ten. That was not the point. That weekend I was blessed to be given my first chance of meeting a FIRST CLASS MAN. I have more story’s about the man however he was near and dear to my heart. I will miss him greatly.
Heaviest of hearts go out to Mr.Ron & family. Very blessed to have had him as a roommate at Currituck health and rehab in Barco NC. He truly was the life of the party & a bundle of Joy, knowledge, and wisdom 🙂 . He once said ”I don’t know how I got this old”, which spoke toward his fortitude & wit.
Take care Kevin in the Dakotas for your kindness especially the laughter, Gatorade, chips and cookies. Lastly to Rhonda- I leave the center next week (1st week of October 2023). I appreciate your friendship, fried chicken, and a listening ear.
It’s New Years Eve day and I and my brother, Vernon were with Ron for New Years Eve 77 years ago in Dayton, Ohio. I had tried to find Ron for years and this morning, in Toledo, Ohio, I happily found him.