[AGL]Legacy of Jim Strong

[Jon Ford]

Mike sent out a blank email some time inviting us to post our sense of the 
"legacy" of Jim Strong. Since I was his friend in high school but not close 
to him in college, it was a pleasure to rediscover his adult wit and 
knowledge of the world on-line on both the AGL and the Ghetto2 list. He was 
a founder and a good mediator on the ghetto2 list, and helped that list 
survive despite numerous technological problems and  strong personality 
conflicts along the way. Following is a notice of his death that speaks to 
the  respect many people he worked with had for him:

Jon Ford


Jim Strong dies unexpectedly at 64
By: Jamie Nash, Courier staff
08/17/2006

By all accounts, Montgomery County lost a major asset on Monday. Jim Strong, 
64, died unexpectedly after a brief illness.

At the time of his death, Strong was Solid Waste Coordinator for Montgomery 
County Environmental Health Services. He took that title after resigning as 
Montgomery County Emergency Management Coordinator, the position for which 
he was best known. He was also the county's Special Projects Coordinator. 
Strong served Montgomery County for over 15 years total and was scheduled to 
retire in September.
Pat Buzbee, Director of Montgomery County Environmental Health Services 
worked with Strong daily. "It was a shock to all of us," Buzbee said.
Strong and Buzbee became acquainted in the 1970's when they both worked for 
Harris County. Buzbee said Strong "knew the correct way to do everything," 
and could always be called upon.
He called Strong a dedicated and tireless worker who enjoyed working with 
the public. "He enjoyed the people and the work," Buzbee said, "He loved 
environmental work."
Strong continued to work after he became ill, which Buzbee said typified 
Strong's personality. "When he got hold of something, he didn't abandon the 
project until it was finished," he said.
"I'm going to miss him dearly."
County Environmental Officer Walter Jameson credited Strong with creating 
his position. "He was instrumental in getting this position started and 
getting the program funded," Jameson said. Strong, who had a background in 
journalism, wrote the application that won the grant for Jameson's position.
"I couldn't have planned it better myself," he said, "He did an outstanding 
job."
Jameson said he would most remember Strong's "quick wit and his 
personality."
His personality was also remembered by Precinct 4 Justice of the Peace James 
Metts, who described Strong as "always very helpful and cordial."
"I was sorry to hear of his passing," Metts said, "Certainly his family will 
be in my prayers."
Sue Bosma, Director of Montgomery County Communication Information Services 
and Rhonda Hovater, Assistant Director both knew and worked with Strong for 
over five years. "We always take his advice," Hovater said, "He's been a 
good friend and coworker."
Bosma said Strong was a tremendous help to MCCIS, which is one of the 
county's more recently established agencies. "He did a lot for my department 
when I first came here," she said.
Bosma and Strong were both in the habit of arriving at work very early and 
she was often comforted by the sight of his truck. She said it let her know 
she was not alone in the building where they both worked.
"He was always here when I came at 7 a.m.," Bosma said.
On Tuesday, Bosma realized she had not seen Strong's truck for a couple of 
days. She said she went to his office to ask about him and learned he was 
gone.
Bosma and Hovater said Strong would be missed by all who knew him.
Conroe City Councilman Jay Ross Martin called Strong's death "a big loss to 
the county."
Martin said Strong was very helpful to the city in emergency situations, 
recalling in particular an ice storm several years ago. "The city had a real 
good working relationship with him," Martin said, "Anytime we lose an 
employee like Jim it's a loss to the whole community."
Strong left behind a wife, step-children, grandchildren and a host of other 
family and friends.
Visitation will begin at 1 p.m. today at Klein Funeral Home in Magnolia, 
followed by a memorial service at 2 p.m.


Jamie Nash can be reached at jnash at hcnonline.com