Steve Strain

James Steven Strain

January 16, 1956 - September 19, 2024

Steve Strain was the second child and first son of Carolyn and James Strain. He was born and raised in Abilene, Texas and made his home there after graduating from the University of Texas. He passed away on the morning of September 19, with his family beside him. He bravely fought a five-year battle with cancer, easing hard times for family and friends, as well as medical personnel, with his sparkling sense of humor.

A visitation with the family will be held at 5-7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 27, at Abilene Country Club-North. A memorial service for Steve will be held at 11a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28, at the Church of the Heavenly Rest in Abilene, followed by a reception in the church's Gerhart Hall.

Steve was born on January 16, 1956, and became a beloved younger brother to his sister Jayne. Ten years later, he gave up his youngest child status to a baby brother, Kent. His enthusiasm for fun and his love of laughter were always apparent. He received a book from a family friend inscribed: "with your cute wit and loving personality, we think you are destined to be another Will Rogers (with freckles)." He was only eight years old at the time. His family attended Aldersgate Methodist Church, and he loved family outings to the Half Moon Ranch, owned by grandparents Vic and Jim Strain of Haskell. He was very close to his grandmother, Virginia Whitman Henshaw, who moved to Abilene following the death of her husband, Red Henshaw. Steve attended school at Crockett, Jefferson, and Cooper High School and had a wide, diverse group of friends and many boyhood girlfriends, but his heart really belonged to his dog Sweetie.

Steve chose the University of Texas in 1974 to pursue a business degree with an engineering minor. The highlights of his college days were spent in the fraternity house of Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE), and he and many of his SAE pledge brothers of Texas Rho formed a close-knit group of lifetime friends. It was also in Austin where he met and fell in love with Cindy Ross, and she joined him in Abilene in 1980, after they married in her hometown of Tyler. He became a very committed and the most fun dad to his two sons, Ross and Whit. He cherished his life in Abilene with Cindy and their many friends.

Steve returned to Abilene in 1978 to work with his father, grandfather, and uncles Ernest Strain and Herman Lloyd at J.H. Strain & Sons. He mastered skills that eventually led him to play the lead role in this highway construction business. Following in his father's footsteps, he began serving in leadership roles with the highway division of the Association of General Contractors, taking on an AGC Area Chairman job in 1984 - the youngest contractor at the time to ever hold that position. Until his death, Steve and his brother Kent ran and grew the business; and, with the addition of Steve's sons, it has become a thriving four-generation family business.

Throughout his adult life, Steve gave his time and talents to governing boards of numerous organizations, among them The National Exchange Club, Serenity House, St. Paul United Methodist Church, Abilene's Better Business Bureau, First State Bank and The Expo Center. Perhaps Steve's most outstanding volunteer service was his years on the Board at Heavenly Rest. He oversaw the completion of Gerhart Hall and its dedication by the Presiding Bishop Michael Curry. It was the close friendships and camaraderie that he cherished the most, and he delighted all with whom he worked with witty comments, genuine conversation, a gift for overcoming conflicts and contagious laughter. His talents were many, but his engaging personality was his gift.

At home, Steve and Cindy's initial romance evolved into a deep commitment to each other that endured each challenge they faced as a couple. Steve Strain's gift of friendship brought him into many close circles of friends, including the 1974 Texas Rho's, the Commitments, Pistol Club and the Fruit of the Spirit. He did not limit himself to people he knew best but greeted every person he knew or met with a genuine enthusiasm, which put acquaintances and strangers equally at ease.

Steve Strain was preceded in death by his parents and his godchild Hallie Taylor, and his very close friends Tom Rowan, Melinda Luther, Steve Smith, Tom Niblo, and Gary Goodnight. He will be greatly missed by his wife Cindy and sons, Whit Strain and Ross Strain with wife Melissa and grandchildren Austin and Alex and Steve’s sister, Jayne Richardson and brother, Kent Strain.

Donations to honor Steve’s life may be sent to the Church of the Heavenly Rest, Episcopal in Abilene or to Heartlight Ministries in Hallsville, Texas, or to the charity of your choice.