Our beloved husband, father, brother, fishing buddy and storyteller, Ercil Strong, who was born in Ava, Mo. on June 22, 1928 to Everett and Vietta Strong, passed away on Dec. 3, 2010 at Emanuel Medical Center.  

He served in two branches of the military — the U.S. Army and the U.S. Air Force for eight years. He was a combat medic in the Korean War, and was honorably discharged at the rank of Corporal.  He was very proud to be a veteran and to have had the honor to serve his country.  He worked in Shingle Springs, Calif. as a miner and at a ranch owned by P.J. Divizich in Earlimart, where he worked with his father and brother as a mechanic. He was also in the logging industry and worked throughout the Sierra Mountains for many years. He was employed at Foster Farms for over 20 years as maintenance mechanic until his retirement.

After his retirement he continued to be an avid fisherman.  He enjoyed taking his boat to Lake McClure with friends and family to fish and to share his passion for the sport. He also reveled in sharing stories of his fishing escapades with his loved ones.

He is survived by his wife, Bernice Strong of Delhi; son, Steven Strong of Lindsay, Calif.; daughters, Sandra Neves of Livingston and Sherry Choquette of Atwater; sister, Lorene Trueblood of Delano; brothers, Kenneth Strong of Strathmore, Calif. and Gary Strong of Santa Paula, Calif.; six grandchildren; and 10 great grandchildren.   He was preceded in death by his brother, Buford Strong and sisters, Venus York and Beverly Brown, all of Pixley, Calif. 

Viewing will be held from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 8 at Allen Mortuary.  A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 9, also at Allen Mortuary, 247 North Broadway, Turlock. Interment to follow at Turlock Memorial Park.  

Please share your memories at www.allenmortuary.com.