HARTFORD, Ky. — Henry Strauss Jr., 86, of Hartford, passed away peacefully on Feb. 14, 2025, leaving behind as his legacy, six children, Lou Ann (Tommy) Phelps, Sandra (Wayne) Gillim, Richard (Lisa) Smith, Eric (Ashley) Smith, Edward (Melanie) Smith, and Matthew Strauss, as well as 20 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren with an additional two great-grandsons arriving later this year and three great-great-grandchildren. Henry is also survived by one sister, Paula (Mike) Mikulich.
In addition to his parents, Henry was preceded in death by his wife of 40 years, Beverly Strauss, as well as six siblings, Lillian, Stephen, Charlotte, Beverly, Bruce and Dale and two grandchildren, Melissa Phelps and Jason Gillim.
Henry was born Aug. 2, 1938, in Detroit, Michigan, to the late Henry and Lillian Strauss. Early in his childhood, Henry’s parents moved back to his mother’s home state of Kentucky. Henry grew up the oldest of eight children in Western Kentucky.
As a young man, Henry attended Hartford High School and was a standout athlete in baseball and basketball before volunteering to join the United States Air Force in 1957. Henry completed eight years of service as a radar operator through 1965. During his enlistment, Henry achieved the rank of Airman 1st Class (Sergeant) and served abroad at Naha Airbase, Okinawa and at home in Texas, New York and Fort Knox, Kentucky. Henry was also proud to talk about his military boxing career and was always quick to offer a boxing lesson to anyone willing to don the gloves.
After completing his service, Henry returned home to Ohio County where he was employed as a welder, heavy equipment operator and miner at different times of his life.
In 1973, Henry married Beverly Hughes-Smith. At the time, Beverly had lost her husband and the father of her five young children. Upon their marriage, Henry stepped into the role as provider for the family and remained in that role for the entirety of his life. Whether it was coaching pee-wee and Little League baseball, or handcrafting cradles for his granddaughters, Henry’s passion was for his family.
In retirement, Henry enjoyed spending time in his woodworking shop and fishing. His “labors” fishing provided many people with fresh bluegill and crappie year-round. He enjoyed taking his children and grandchildren fishing, building piggy banks and rocking snails for them, and reminiscing about his old fishing buddies and family he had lost in years past. He loved to “aggravate” and passed this particular trait directly down to Matt. He did not love having his picture taken but made a few exceptions for family and the fish he caught.
He will be remembered for his tough exterior and his kind heart that was always willing to give regardless of reward and without judgement.
Funeral services for Henry will take place Feb. 22, at Bevil Brothers Funeral Home in Beaver Dam, Kentucky. Visitation 10. a.m until funeral time at 2 p.m. with burial at Patterson Cemetery in Hartford.
Online condolences may be made at bevilbrosfuneralhomes.com.
