Clint Michael Strait

The world's a little darker with the loss of one of its brightest rays of sunshine, but heaven's much brighter. Twenty-five years and nine months ago, on June 7, 1983, Clint Michael Strait entered the world, bringing a dazzling smile that lit up the room. Inexplicably that light was extinguished this past Monday, March 23, 2009 when God summoned Clint home to help illuminate paradise. He was born in Longview, Texas and graduated from Spring Hill High School in May 2001. He attended Kilgore College and graduated from Texas State University in San Marcos, earning a bachelor's degree in Health Care Administration in August 2006. He was employed by Stryker Orthopedics in Dallas since June of 2008. He attended Prestonwood Baptist Church. Clint loved hunting and fishing, and was making preparations to become a duck hunter, purchasing a new shotgun a few hours before his passing. He loved life and lived it with purpose and enthusiasm. His smile and warm personality reached out and drew in everyone he met, and as news circulated that Clint was no longer with us, his Face Book page filled with hundreds of memorials from friends and acquaintances. Clint was an impeccable dresser who was very conscious of his appearance. His vanity was so sweet and endearing no one could fault him that one small personality quirk. All who knew him can appreciate that, on the night of his passing, after being attended and worked over many hours at the hospital, his mother assures us he left this world with not a single hair out of place and wearing a new pair of sneakers. His sense of humor brought laughter to any gathering. He was one of God's special creations and will be sorely missed. Clint was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents and namesake, Clinton E and Dorothy Strait, and by his aunt Cheryl Fountain. Left to cherish the memories of his brief stay on earth are his parents and best friends, Steve and Donna Strait of Gilmer, Texas and his two brothers, Steven Chad Strait and Jonathan Craig Strait, also of Gilmer. He also leaves his maternal grandparents Jimmy and Janice Worley of Longview, his companion Sharon O'Quinn and special friend Tony Francis of Dallas, and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins, and a multitude of friends. Visitation will be held Thursday evening, March 26, at Rader Funeral Home in Longview from 6:00-8:00 PM. Services will be Friday, March 27, at 12:00 Noon at Rose Heights Church on Hawkins Parkway, with the Rev Ronnie Shipman officiating and Bryan Simpson and Mark Strait assisting. A memorial guestbook may be signed online at www.raderfh.com.

Clint Michael Strait

June 7, 1983 - March 23, 2009