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Donald L. Strong, a resident of Elephant Butte, NM, previously of Albuquerque, went home to the Lord on Sunday, May 15, 2011. He is survived by his wife, Roberta; daughter, Donna Hannon and husband, Terry; daughter, Dana Gallegos and husband, Leonard and son, Robert, all of Albuquerque; daughter-in-law, Rene of Centenial, Colorado; and stepchildren, Nicholas Cover and wife, Vicki of Corpus Christie, Texas; Rex Cover and wife, Sheila of Albuquerque, NM and Gayle Reber and husband, Tom of Cumberland, Kentucky. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Mary; and son, Phillip Strong. He was proud to have four grandchildren; and four step-grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Don entered military service in 1946, and retired as Chief Warrant Officer. After retirement, he accepted a commission as a Major in the New Mexico Defense Force, retiring in 1990 as Brigadier General, Director of a special Task Force for Family Programs. In 1968, Don entered into private business as president of Flowers By Strong, and Duke City Wholesale Floral. He served as president of the Floral Association and Vice President, Director and Treasurer of West Texas-NM Florists Association. He was the first to be inducted into the American Academy of Florists. He served as Commander of Military Order of World Wars; he held Life Membership in the Albuquerque Masonic Lodge No. 60 A.F.&A.M. and the York Rite Bodies and was a member of Scottish Rite Bodies of Santa Fe and Ballot Abyad Shrine, where he was Charter Commander of the Legion of Honor and President of the Sierra in 2010. Don was a Life Member of the National Sojourners, American Legion Post #44; VFW Post #1389 and DAV. Don was a long time member of Rotary International and was honored as a Paul Harris Fellow. He was selected Rotarian of the year twice and was an Emeritus Member in 1997. He is Charter President of the Elephant Butte Rotary Club. Don retired to Elephant Butte in 1998, where he and his wife, became active in the community, and cherished their many wonderful friends. Don will be missed by his living family and his friends throughout New Mexico. Visitation for family and friends will be held in the Chapel of Kirikos Family Funeral Home on Wednesday, May 18, 2011 from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Services will be held on Thursday, May 19, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. at the First Baptist Church with Rev. Dudley Bristow officiating. Interment will be held at 4:00 p.m. at Sunset Memorial Park Mausoleum in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Arrangements are by Kirikos Family Funeral Home, Inc., 303 N. Cedar St. For online condolences, please go to www.kirikosfamilyfuneralhome.com.
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