Obituary 

Lt. Col. James N. Strength, USAFR (ret.)

Jim, a resident of Belmont, North Carolina went home to be with the Lord on Friday, September 22, 2017. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, September 28, 2017 at Prattville Memorial Chapel in Prattville, Alabama. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m, and service at 11:00 a.m.

Jim was born in Prattville, Alabama to Frances Lee (Silas) Strength and Alvin Newton Strength, the middle child of three. Growing up he liked sports, cats and getting into mischief with neighborhood friends. He met our mother, Susan (Tucker) Strength when she and his sister Dian (Strength) Morgan became best friends at thirteen years old. The two remained childhood friends and grew up in each other’s homes.

Jim proudly served in the United States Air Force Reserve for most of his adult life. He graduated from Troy University in Troy, Alabama and in 1973 attended Officer Training School at Mather Air Force Base in California. Jim was then assigned to the 919th Special Operations Wing at Duke Field (a part of Eglin Air Force Base) in Ft. Walton Beach, Florida. Jim was trained as a navigator and became the Fire Control Officer on the AC-130A Spectre Gunship in Operation Just Cause in 1989 and during the Gulf War in 1991. For his service in Operation Just Cause, Jim was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. In addition to his military service, Jim managed Gulf Power Company and worked in the Civil Service in his adopted hometown of Crestview, Florida where he also served his community in many ways, most notably as the President of the Chamber of Commerce. Once retired, he and Susan moved to North Carolina to be with their two daughters, Suzanne and Ashley, and their families. These days were happily spent playing with grandchildren, watching Alabama football and being the family expert handyman and gardener.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by wife Susan, of the home, his brother Donald Strength of Prattville, AL, his sister Dian (Strength) Morgan and husband David of Alpharetta, GA, his son Chris Ray and wife Lynn of Prattville, AL, his daughters Suzanne Strength of Lincolnton, NC and Ashley (Strength) Quattrocchi and husband David of Cramerton, NC. He is also survived by 4 grandchildren, 5 nieces and nephews, 10 great nieces and nephews and 4 great-great nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the USO Organization at www.uso.org

Another Gunship Flyer from the early years, Jim Strength, passed away suddenly at his home in Belmont, NC last Friday (22 Sep). He was a very well respected member of the Duke Family who served his country and the 711SOS honorably  for many years as a Senior Fire Control Officer (FCO) on the AC-130A Gunship.  Jim was very active in our unit, and participated in many deployments throughout his flying career. His was also a civic leader in his community and donated endless hours toward making it a much better place to raise a family. After retirement Jim moved back to Prattville, AL where he grew up, and later followed his kids up to the Charlotte, NC area where he and Susan spent their time enjoying Grandkids.  

Jim was one of the few that truly made a difference, and will be missed by us all. 

Please keep his wife Susan and the family in your thoughts and prayers as they go through this extremely difficult time in their lives.