Thomas Clay Strain

January 21, 1938 - October 10, 2018

Thomas Clay Strain of Rolla, MO passed away on Wednesday, October 10, 2018 at the Phelps County Regional Medical Center in Rolla, MO at the age of 80. Thomas was born on January 21, 1938 in Granite City, Illinois to the late William Clay “WC” and Beatrice (Jondro) Strain. Thomas was raised in Eminence, MO and graduated from Eminence High School in 1955. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Southwest Missouri State College and later earned a Master’s Degree in Education from Drury College in Springfield, MO. His career in education consisted of teaching and working as an administrator in several schools across the state. He was the first principal to serve in the "then new" Green Forest R-2 School in Dent County MO. He retired to the Rolla area where he enjoyed camping, horseback riding, bluegrass music festivals, and farming. He was also a member of the Hazelwood Masonic Lodge #459 in Seymour, MO. Thomas is survived by his son, Tom Strain and wife, Cindy, from Rolla, MO; 3 daughters, Janice Becker and husband, Jim, of Salem, MO, Jeanie Strain, Rolla, MO, Carolyn Burford and husband, Brett, of Webster Groves, MO; granddaughters, Taylor Strain, Hannah Strain, Natalie Burford and Julia Burford; one sister, Shirley Bergner and husband Norman; one brother, Bill Strain, of Salem, MO. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, October 16, 2018 at 11:00AM at the Rolla Chapel of the James & Gahr Mortuary with Pastor Ron Sluder officiating. Interment will be at the Cedar Grove Cemetery in Salem, Missouri. Visitation for family and friends will be held at the Chapel on Monday, October 15, 2018 from 4-7PM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Newburg FFA Chapter and/or the Rolla FFA Alumni. Make checks payable to: Newburg FFA Chapter or Rolla FFA Alumni.