March 29, 2024

Jeffrey Robert Strain

June 23, 2017

Jeffrey Robert Strain, friend of Bill W., passed away June 23, 2017, following complications of surgery for a subdural hematoma.

Born in Ohio May 17, 1949, and raised in Ohio and Iowa, Jeff graduated from Newton High School in 1967, and from Eastern New Mexico University in Portales, N.M. in 1971. In Newton and in New Mexico, he was affectionately nicknamed “Stick” for his tall, lean body. While at Eastern, he was a member of their small college golf powerhouse team that often challenged or beat larger and better funded teams in competition. The game of golf was his skill, his passion and his livelihood for most of his life. His true grit was teaching the joy of golf to kids.

In 1995, Jeff courageously embraced Alcoholics Anonymous and recently celebrated 22 years of sobriety.

Jeff loved Hawaii, birds of paradise, New Mexico, green chilies, chiliburgers, the Denver Broncos and the Chicago Cubs. He had a soft spot in his heart for stray dogs, cats and people. He loved the art of conversation and debate and, of course, loved to win. He admired excellence, often admitting his own flaws. He usually rooted for the underdog.

Jeff dearly loved his friends, his family and the many people who had gone before him. He shared many life lessons learned from his own experiences with those who knew him.

He is survived by his sister, Gretchen; his brother, Andrew; and their families.

A celebration of his life will be from noon to 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 27 at the Bennett Valley Guild, 4145 Grange Road, Santa Rosa, Calif. All are welcome. Please contact his sister, Gretchen Strain at gscep@comcast.net for details. Please help us honor his memory by helping those less fortunate.