Darrell R. Strait

Dr. Darrell Rex Strait, 68, of Bolivar, died Tuesday, Feb. 23, at his home surrounded by family following a lengthy battle with Lewy Body Disease. He s the son of Rex Edward Strait and Eleanor (Beatty) Strait. Born Jan. 1, 1942 in Fairfield, Iowa, Darrell graduated from Van Buren County High School in 1960 and Iowa Wesleyan College in 1964 where he was president of Phi Delta Theta fraternity. He taught chemistry for five years at Ritenour High School in St. Louis. After receiving his Masters degree and PhD in chemistry from the University of Missouri-Rolla in 1974, he taught at Graceland College in Lamoni, Iowa. In 1967, Darrell married Susan Kennett. They have three children and two grandchildren: Jamie and his wife, Kristi, of Clinton, Mo.; Jeff and his wife, Laura, and their two sons, Mitchell and Darrell Riley , of Olathe, Ks.; and Jennifer, of Oak Park, Illinois. Darrell was a long-time member of First Baptist Church where he served as deacon, Sunday School teacher and a member of numerous committees. He was an active member of the Bolivar Optimist Club since 1987, serving as club president from 1993-94. A life member of Optimists, he had perfect attendance for 15 years and was a two-time Optimist of the Year. Darrell taught at Southwest Baptist University from 1981 until his retirement in 2003. He served as Dean of the College of Science and Mathematics for 12 years. He received the Governor s Award for Excellence in Teaching in 1995. That same year he received the Parkway Distinguished Teaching Award. Darrell also was a two-time recipient of SBU s Faculty Life Beautiful Award. Upon his retirement, SBU and its science faculty created the Darrell R. Strait Center for the Integration of Science and Christian Faith. The center continues to serve students today. A devoted and loving son, husband and father, Darrell dedicated his life to serving God. He embodied that in whatever he did, whether it was in reaching out to his students, helping his community or being a role model and constant support for his family. Darrell is preceded in death by his father, Rex. He s survived by wife, Susan, their children and his mother, Eleanor, brother Marvin and his wife, Doris of Keosauqua, Iowa; sister Lynnette Dunn, of Glenwood, Iowa, brothers-in-law Earl Kennett and wife Mary of Dacula, Georgia; Murry and wife Janet of Millersburg, Mo. and Karl of Jefferson City, as well as one niece and eight nephews. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Southwest Baptist University in care of the Darrell R. Strait Center for the Integration of Science and Christian Faith or the Darrell R. Strait Scholarship. Donations can also be sent to the Alzheimer s Association, 1500 S. Glenstone, Springfield, MO 65804. Funeral services will be at 10:00 AM Friday, February 26, 2010 at Bolivar First Baptist Church with Rev. Billy Russell and Dr. William Hooper officiating. Interment will be in Millersburg Community Cemetery near Fulton under the direction of Murray Funeral Home, Bolivar. Visitation will be Thursday from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the funeral home. PDF Printable Version

Darrell R. Strait

January 1, 1942 - February 23, 2010