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published: Friday, November 06, 2009
Goodbye to a civic stalwart
Goodbye to a civic stalwart
DAVID DONALD
Staff Writer
LEESBURG -- Scott Strong lived his life like he fished -- competitively fierce and striving to never lose the big one, while at the same time helping those around him reel in one of their own.
"I know in my heart Scott is in heaven," said Mark Strong, Scott's brother. "He's got the boat tied up to the dock and Scott and Dad are ready to go fishing."
Strong, 47, civic leader, businessman and former school board member, was laid to rest at the Lone Oak Cemetery in Leesburg on Wednesday, almost a week after he died in a plane crash outside Athens, Ga.
Friends and family filled the massive sanctuary at First Baptist Leesburg to capacity during the funeral service. Strong's friends and family recounted their fondest memories.
Strong's brother, Steve Strong, led the eulogy, recalling the days growing up in South Florida to moving to Wildwood to when they took over the family business.
From spending time playing cards with the snowbirds at the fish camp after school to working in the watermelon fields in the area of the present-day Villages to fishing from the rocks on the shore of the Withlacoochee River, Strong developed a passion for fishing, a strong work ethic and the gift of gab, said Steve Strong.
"Fishing for us was an escape. The Withlacoochee River played a big part in our lives," he said. "It taught us how to become very close."
After high school Scott Strong went to work full-time for Electrical Services, Inc, the family business. That's when Strong started getting involved in the community by joining organizations, volunteering and networking, Steve Strong said.
Last summer, the two brothers spent time at Scott Strong's new summer home in the Florida Keys. After a day of fishing, they spent the evening looking out over the ocean.
"We talked about everything -- life and family," Steve Strong said. "For a while we didn't talk at all. I always believed Scott was my biggest cheerleader."
Jimmy Nussbaumer, a Groveland businessman and electrical contractor, said he met Scott Strong when he was 16 years old. They found a common bond -- water skiing. Also, he said every year he, Strong and a bunch of guys would go to the Keys to fish for lobster.
"It was just a great pleasure to say Scott was my friend. He called me his redneck friend," Nussbaumer said. "I had to remind him he was from Wildwood."
Strong touched many lives in the Lake County community, mostly through his organization of a golf tournament that raises more than $500,000 every year for the Lake County Educational Foundation and through his two four-year terms on the school board.
Leesburg Commissioner John Christian recalled the meetings he had with Strong over the Dabney Elementary School project and the time he dragged him out to a golf tournament.
"Scott was just an awesome person for our community and our school system," Christian said. "He will be missed. We've lost a great community leader."
Lake County School Board member Rosanne Brandeburg recalled the day Strong urged her to run for his open seat on the board. Brandeburg wasn't sure if she could do it, but Strong gave her encouragement and advice.
"He was with me every step of the way," she said.
Friends and family believed Strong to be emblematic of how a Christian, husband, father, friend and member of the community should lead their life -- a role model to emulate.
"God gave us the gift of Scott's life." said Chad Driggers, pastor of First Baptist Fruitland Park, Scott Strong's church. "What we can do is follow Scott's lead and live every day to its fullest."
Strong is survived by his wife, Lori; two sons, Chase and Chandler; two daughters, Michaella and Madison, all of Lady Lake.
He also is survived by his mother, Janice Strong of The Villages; two brothers, Steve and Mark, and two sisters, Dawn Parker and Lisa Jodray.
