Dr Eugene Richard Strong, D.P.M.

Dr. Eugene Richard Strong died unexpectedly at his Show Low, Arizona home on Thursday, July 30, 2008 at the age of 83. Dr. Strong was born on October 19, 1924 in Provo, Utah to the late Dr. W. Melvin and Ruth (Thorson) Strong. He was a skilled pilot and U.S. Navy veteran of World War II and would refer to the planes he flew as "Goony Birds". Dr. Strong moved to Arizona from his native Utah nearly 50 years ago and built a thriving podiatry practice at the Mesa Lutheran Medical Building and Mesa General Hospital. He retired in 1984 and was able to devote more time to the sport he thoroughly enjoyed...Golf! He and his wife, Mary Lou, had a cabin in Pinetop for many years and thoroughly enjoyed their summertime visits there. They moved to Show Low permanently four years ago. Dr. Eugene Richard Strong is survived by: his wife, Mary Louise Strong of Show Low, AZ; 5 children: Marc Eugene Strong (Donna) of Los Angeles, CA, Christopher Melvin Strong (Mischa) of Brighton, CO, Nanci Joyce Slater (Walter) of Seattle, WA, Perry Hayden Strong of San Diego, CA, Jill Louise Strong (Fitz Hurd) of Carbondale, CO; 4 step-children: Katherine Grutzmacher Reeve of Tucson, AZ, Steven Karl Grutzmacher of Scottsdale, AZ, David Charles Grutzmacher of Mesa, AZ, John Henry Grutzmacher (Connie) of Mesa, AZ; brother, Ralph Strong (Donna) of Salt Lake City, UT; 2 sisters: Ruth Jones of Salt Lake City, UT, Norma Larson (Gary) of Portland, OR; 18 grandchildren and 1 great-grandson. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Joyce and a son, Cory. Private family services will be held in October, at which time he will be laid to rest over the Mogollon Rim. Memorial contributions, in his name, to your favorite charity have been suggested by his family.