SGT 1st Class Gregory “Greg” Lee Strong, 55, of Brookport, formerly of Litchfield, died Friday, July 21, 2023, in Tuscola.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, July 29, 1 to 3 p.m. at Litchfield Family Funeral Service, located at 700 South State Street, Litchfield, with memorial services to follow at 3 p.m. Pastor James Ouderkirk will be officiating. Burial will follow in a United States National Cemetery. An additional celebration of life will be held in southern Illinois at a later date.
Mr. Strong was born Aug. 25, 1967, in Waukegan, a son of Gary and Patricia Whitson Strong. He graduated from Litchfield High School with the class of 1985.
He joined the United States Army National Guard in 1989 and completed basic training at Ft. Benning, GA. During his 25 year military career, Mr. Strong was deployed to Kuwait, Iraq, and Afghanistan; and spent many years stationed at Camp Lincoln in Springfield. He retired from the Army in 2014 at the rank of sergeant first class. After leaving the service, he spent time working for the VA and AMVETS helping service members navigate their military benefits. During his life, he enjoyed playing slow pitch softball, competing in many flat track dirt bike races, and singing karaoke. He loved watching Cubs baseball and gave the best hugs.
Mr. Strong is survived by his daughters, Devin (Zach) Allen, Brogan (Peter) Oswald, and Carson Strong, all of Carlinville; fiance, Debbie Barr of Brookport; four grandchildren, two nieces and a nephew.
He was preceded in death by his parents and sister Julie O’Roake.
Memorials may be made to Twenty Two a Day, Veterans Suicide Prevention Program. Visit www.litchfieldffs.com to leave condolences or light a candle in his memory.
