Richard "Dick" Lee Strous' Obituary
Strous, Richard Lee "Dick", age 88, of Xenia, passed away Friday, January 7th, 2022.
He was born March 20th, 1933 in Pickaway County, in the little town of Adelphi, in the corner of Ross, Hocking and Pickaway counties, to Effie Mildred (Judy) and Curtis Strous.
Attended Xenia Central High School eighth grade through the 12 th grade, Dick was elected to the National honor Society and was a Industrial Arts (metal shop) student assistant his junior & senior years. He graduated from Xenia Central High School in 1951. During his high school years, he belonged to the Nathaniel Greene Chapter of DeMolay, becoming Master Counselor and receiving highest award of the Order of Chevalier.
Dick worked at James' Super Valu after school and in the summer. He received an appointment as an alternate to the Naval Academy, and later took the exam and was accepted to the USAF officer training (Aviation Cadets). He was washed out and spent the next 2-½ years in the Air Force as an aircraft Electrician instructor, instructing classes for two
years. Dick also attended several electrical schools, instructor schools and night class at University of Illinois.
After the Air Force, Dick started an apprentice program as a toolmaker, but didn’t like factory work and left to go back to super market work in management. During that time, he attended some classes at Sinclair College, and spent the next 47 years in the grocery business, where he started as a “carry-out” and worked up in management, became a part owner and then an owner of a super market.
Dick was an active member of Faith Community United Methodist Church, Masonic Lodge #49, Xenia; Greene County Senior Center; Greene County Historical Society; Dayton N-Track, and the Carillon Park Rail and Steam Society.
Dick loved to work with his hands which led to model railroading and woodworking, electronics, and scenery. While others like to start with a new train, he enjoyed making all the elements from scratch. He particularly enjoyed building modular railroads where each person would assemble a different portion of the complete system. Dick was satisfied when things would "light up and move in miniature".
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Dolores Strous, and brothers David and Curt Strous.
Richard "Dick" is survived by his daughter Nancy Wellman, two sons Rick Strous and Tom (Angela) Strous, grandchildren Mike (Sera) Wellman, Nicole (Dylan) Adams, Jacob Strous, and Kathleen Strous, and great-granddaughter Eliette. He is also survived by sisters-n-law Mary and Shirley Strous, cousins Rita Harmon Bell, Pat Strous and Bill Strous, and numerous other relatives.
He will also be greatly missed by his church, community and train families. Thank you for your support during his illnesses throughout the past year. Also, thank you to Hospice of Dayton and Kimberly Care for the great care you gave him.
To help the family celebrate his life, you are invited to share during his visitation on Tuesday, January 11th, 2022 from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm at Conner & Koch Life Celebration Home, 92 W. Franklin St. Bellbrook. Military Honors, Masonic Rites, and Pastor Andy Wagner will conclude the visitation with prayer.
Graveside services will be held at Green Summit Cemetery, Adelphi, Ohio on May 28, 2022 with a luncheon afterwards.
Instead of flowers, the family requests donations to any of the following organizations, Faith Community United Methodist Church (https://fcum.org/give/), Xenia Adult Recreation & Services Center (338 South Progress Drive, Xenia, Ohio 45385); Greene County Historical Society (74 W. Church St, Xenia, OH 45385); and Hospice of Dayton (https://www.hospiceofdayton.org/donations/). You are welcome to send a condolence, plant a tree and share a story or picture about Dick at www.ConnerAndKoch.com.
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