Scott Strong killed in plane crash
Scott Strong killed in plane crash
Civic leader dies along with aircraft's owner near Athens, Ga.
DAVID DONALD, LARRY ELL, and MILLARD IVES
Staff Writers
Scott Strong, a former Lake County School Board member, and a civic leader and businessman, was one of two people killed in a small plane crash near Athens, Ga., Thursday. The other victim was identified as David S. Garber, 81, owner of the vintage plane.
Strong was 47.
The crash happened near the intersection of Johnson and Lexington roads, about a mile southwest of the Athens-Ben Epps Airport it had taken off from in Athens, Ga.
The crash occurred shortly after it took off about 10:20 a.m. Thursday. It had crashed into to some trees in a back yard.
Kathleen Bergen, of the Federal Aviation Administration, said the plane was a Fuji LM-1, built in 1957. She described the aircraft as military vintage, normally used in air shows and exhibitions.
She said the plane was registered to Garber under an Athens address.
Bergen said the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate; but a spokesman from the NTSB said FAA is conducting the investigation at the scene, and will forward its report to the NTSB.
Janice Kemp, vice president at Electric Contractors and Engineers, the Strong family business in Leesburg, confirmed the news Thursday afternoon.
Kemp said Scott Strong and his brother, Steve, flew to Georgia in the company's Cessna 182 to pick up the vintage military plane for a friend, a Korean War pilot. Scott Strong was flying the vintage plane when it crashed shortly after takeoff.
"We are in shock," Kemp said. "Scott was larger than life."
Steve Strong was flying a second plane and turned around shortly after the crash, Kemp said.
Some of Scott Strong's closest friends and supporters were shocked to hear the news.
Lake County Commissioner Jimmy Conner served with Scott Strong during both of his four-year terms on the Lake County School Board.
"Scott was a very dear friend. I'm in shock." said Conner. "I always used to tease him by telling him it's hard serving with a perfect man like him."
Conner said Scott Strong led an exemplary life and was a model Christian.
Scott Strong was an active parishioner at First Baptist Church of Fruitland Park. A church official confirmed Pastor Chad Driggers was with the family shortly after the incident.
Many will remember Scott Strong as someone who put others, especially children, first before himself or his business interest.
"He was one of the smartest men and caring men that I've ever known," said Carman Cullen, executive director of the Educational Foundation, of which Scott Strong was a huge supporter. "He put his community up at the top of his list and he was single-handedly responsible for revamping the foundation."
Scott Strong was elected to the Lake County School Board in 2002. He served on the board for eight years but decided not to seek a third term in 2008.
Kemp was Strong's campaign manager. She said Strong felt the school system needed good leadership with knowledge of the construction industry.
Many credit Strong with bringing a common-sense business mentality to the school board and knowledge of the construction industry during a period of expansion and growth in the district.
Staking a claim on the school board often ran contrary to Scott Strong's business interests. Despite a state ruling that said he could contract electrical services with the school district, Strong was adamant about avoiding any perception of conflict of interest, Kemp said.
Lake County School board member Cindy Barrow said she and Strong occasionally had disagreements but she considered him a mentor with a big heart.
"That man was just a pillar in the community," said Barrow, who served on the board with Strong during his second term. "He ran a business that was based on growth and stuck up for our schools when they were overcrowded. He put himself out there and he always did what he thought was right. He was a real guy. I just can't believe that he is gone."
Scott and Steve Strong took over the family business, an electrical contracting and engineering firm, in 1990. Steve was the president while Scott was the chief executive officer. They both shared equally in the responsibilities of the business. Their father, Wayne Strong, purchased the business in 1978. The company is one of Lake's largest employers with more than 150 full-time workers, according the company's website.
The Strong brothers also ran a development company and own properties throughout Lake County. The strong brothers were avid pilots and owned two hangars at the Leesburg International Airport.
The business community was also reeling from the news of Strong's death.
"I'm beyond devastated," said Rich Kelley, a close friend and owner of Ford Press in Leesburg. "It's an absolute tragedy. He's done more for the community than most people I know. He was too young."
Leesburg Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jan Zacharchuk said, "His word was his bond. He'll be remembered as a family man and that he cared about his community and he gave all he could to it."
Strong is survived by his wife, Lori; sons, Chase,16, and Chandler, 14, and daughters, Michella, 11 and Madison, 7.
Friday, October 30, 2009 - www.dailycommercial.com/1030strong