Charles Richard "Bubba" Strong was born in Duncan, Oklahoma on August 24, 1932, the eldest of Homer Richard Strong and Anna Laura Payne's seven children. As a child, he spent most summers on the nearby farm of his maternal great-grandparents, James Edwin and Zada Gentry, helping by doing chores. Charles often recounted how growing up with very meager means during the Great Depression was his most formative developmental experience. His family credits these early experiences for the development of Charles' forthrightness, honest character, frugality, and educational and professional achievements.

After graduating from 8th grade at age 15, he enrolled in the Oklahoma National Guard claiming to be 17 years old. At 5'8" and 138 pounds, Charles, was taller and more developed than a typical 15-year-old of the era. After seven months of duty, the National Guard discovered the error and honorably discharged Charles on June 4, 1948, at the rank of "Private." He then returned to Duncan and began high school.

During his high school years, he worked for a local bakery for a little over a year, contributing most of his wages to help support his parents and siblings. (Unfortunately, Charles developed a lifelong aversion to most baked goods, remembering the overwhelming smell of bread baking and donuts frying!) Graduating from Duncan High School in 1952, he enrolled in Oklahoma A&M (now OSU) in Stillwater.

With the intent of majoring in chemistry, Charles completed his freshman year of college. However, after exhausting his funds he reenlisted in the military, serving in the United States Army from June 1953 to July 1954.

After basic and secondary training, Charles received orders for a military posting in Germany. However, the Army cancelled these orders and then issued a medical discharge due to a chronic skin condition he had developed while in the Army. Army doctors concluded Charles' condition was so severe that it precluded functioning as a soldier-for example, he could not wear combat boots due to blistering and bleeding and was thus unable to perform duties required of a soldier.

Once discharged, Charles returned to OSU with the help of funds from the GI bill. His desire for a chemistry degree was dashed however, due to the skin condition he had developed in the Army. Charles decided to major in accounting and was awarded his Bachelors degree from OSU in May 1959.

While at OSU, he became president of the campus Newman Club, where he met and married fellow student: Patricia "Pat" Marion McGuire of Camargo, OK. In May 1957, Charles and Pat wed in Stillwater OK, and remained together for 60 years afterward until Patricia died in 2018. The union produced seven children, which were Charles's pride and joy.

His professional career included earning a C.P.A. Certificate from the State of Oklahoma; working in public accounting (Coopers & Lybrand, Tulsa) and private accounting (Halliburton Company, Duncan); and, becoming a college professor. After deciding to teach, Charles earned his Master of Science degree from OSU (majoring in accounting); and a Ph.D. from the University of Alabama (majoring in Industrial Relations with minors in Economics and Finance).

While working on his Ph.D., the family moved between colleges and universities in Alabama, Mississippi, and Texas where he taught a full range of courses related to accounting and business degrees. In May 1973, Charles accepted a position in the Accounting Department at Pan American University in Edinburg, Texas. "Dr. C.R. Strong - Ph.D." became a full professor at Pan American University. He retired from Pan American University in 1997.

In spare time, Charles pursued many interests and hobbies over the years. Fishing, sailing, stargazing, genealogy, photography, and birdwatching are some of his more memorable pursuits. For example, while in the Rio Grande Valley, Charles became an avid bird watcher, and one of the original founders of the Altamira Audubon society in the lower Rio Grande Valley. Charles was also an avid reader on a broad range of subjects: science, history, economics, and philosophy for example.

Charles was a proud member of the Chickasaw Nation, descended from original enrollee Thomas Bunker Payne, husband of Mary "Mollie" Hardwick who was Chickasaw by blood. He was especially proud to be a member of the Chickasaw Warriors, the Chickasaw Veteran's group.

Later in life Charles developed a new life-philosophy and became passionate about our country's historic secularist roots and traditions. Those who knew him in the past 20 years of his life enjoyed (or were at least challenged by) his passionate discourses and debates on the subject. To that end, he joined and later became a life-time member of FFRF. He would remind those who would listen that in the United States we "have both freedom of religion and freedom from religion because they are two sides of the same coin."

He was predeceased by his wife Pat. Soon after her death in 2018, he moved into the home of his son and daughter-in-law, John and Isabel Strong of McAllen, Texas. Charles died on October 21, 2021, two months after the celebration of his 89th birthday. He was also preceded in death by sisters Caroline Strong Brasher of Duncan and Theresa Strong Rutledge of Austin; sisters-in-law Betty Wehunt Strong and Daisy McGuire; and brothers-in-law Jim Brasher and Keith McGuire.

Survivors include his four brothers, Bill Strong of Harlingen Texas; John (Brenda) Strong and P.D. (Jane) Strong of Duncan; and, Tom (Vickie) Strong of Laveen, Arizona. He is also survived by his seven children, all residents of Texas, Tom (Melinda) Strong, Mary Pat Strong, John (Isabel) Strong, Laura Solomon, Karl (DeeDee) Strong, Paul (Sherry) Strong, and Anne Strong (fiancé William Smrekar). Other survivors include his 12 grandchildren, three great-grandchildren; numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews; and, a host of friends and former colleagues.

The family wishes to give thanks to all of the many valued caretakers who provided loving support to Bubba over the past 4 years. Special among the caregivers were Veronica Rosales and Xavier Contreras, whom Bubba and others considered to be part of his family.

Should friends desire, remembrances may be sent to Audubon Texas (7700 W Hwy 71, Ste 330, Austin, TX 78735); FFRF (PO Box 750, Madison, WI 53701); or a charity of your choice.