Bonham, Texas -- A rosary will be recited by Deacon Gary Volgel at 6:00 p.m. Thursday night at Wise Funeral Home Chapel with visitation to follow for Joseph Robert Strong, 55, of Bonham.  The funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, June 15, 2013 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 314 N. Rusk Ave., Denison, Texas. Father Fred Caldwell will officiate.  Joe passed away early Wednesday, June 12, 2013 at Beacon Hill in Denison. 

Joe was born December 23, 1957 in North Tonawanda, New York, the son of Robert Victor Strong and Elsie Ellen Brun Strong.  He was a graduate of North Tonawanda High School and served his country in the US Air Force for four years. Joe was a past chairman of the Bonham Area Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Bonham Board of Health and the Republican Party of Fannin County.  He was formerly a Project Manager for MCI and owner/operator of Strong Medical.  Joe was currently the County Commissioner of Precinct 4 in Fannin County.  Joe enjoyed agriculture, gardening, horses and raising long-horned cattle. He was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Denison, Texas.  He was preceded in death by his father. 

Surviving are

Wife, Kathy Taylor of Bonham, TX

Son, Chris Strong of North Tonawanda, New York

Mother, Elsie Strong of Tampa, FL

Stepson, Paul Brownell of El Paso, TX

Sisters, Sharon Strong of North Tonawanda, NY

            Sue Dunn and husband, Jeff of Tampa, FL

2 nephews and 1 niece 

Pallbearers will be Paul Brownell, Teddy Fry, Paul Kyle, Darrin Womble, Rick Sheddy and Ira Hicks.  Honorary pallbearers will be the Fannin County Commissioner’s Court, Judge Spanky Carter and Joe Ward. 

Memorials may be made to the Children’s Hospital Miracle Network in Dallas, Texas or the American Cancer Society. 

Online guest register www.wisefuneralhome.com