Franklyn C. Strong Sr.

Franklyn Charles Strong Sr., age 59, of Red Lake, MN, passed away surrounded by his family on Tuesday, July 16, 2024.

Frank, who was fondly called “Bub”, Uncle Bub”, by family and friends, was born at the old Red Lake Hospital to Alverda “Babe” (Morgan) and the late William “Pun” Strong on February 20, 1965.  He was raised in Minneapolis until the 7th grade and the family moved back to Red Lake in 1977. He was Salutatorian of his class in 1983. He made an awesome speech for someone who didn’t like crowds, that his family remembers with laughter, “People ask me what I’m going to do, and I say I’ll be going to Thief River Votech and wasting my time doing auto mechanics”. He was an awesome mechanic that helped out whoever asked, and he was teaching his son, Tyrell the ways of being a mechanic too. He was also a logger for several logging companies over the years. He loved spending time with his mom and was her caretaker, making sure she was good, his brother and sister, his children, grandchildren and his “Buddies”. He teased his nieces and nephews. This past year he enjoyed taking care of his “Baby Thyri” his little “boss”. He and his brother, William were forever joking around, talking smack to one another. When Eva showed up they’d gang up on Bub, he was a joker and a brother. He was an avid “Green Bay Packer” fan, which led to some snappy remarks with his siblings who are “Vikings” fans, all in good fun.

He went through basic training in Ft. Benning, GA, in the summer of 1984 with his friend “Chaz” but got stationed apart. He married Valerie (Parker) Cournoyer on November 2, 1985 and had five children together. They later divorced but remained friends. Later on, he met Karen Jones, and they had five children together. They separated but remained friends.

“Bub” is survived by his mother, “Babe” Strong; brother, William Strong; sister, Eva (Alvin) Jones; children: Jonathan “JW” (Merri jo) Parker Sr. of Red Lake, Jessica Strong of Moorhead, Michael Strong of St. Paul, Tyrell Jones and Jo’elle Jones, both of Ponemah, Jalen (Aeryn) Jones and Frankelle (Roger) Strong of Red Lake, MN, Sierra Strong of Bemidji; 32 grandchildren who were his pride and joy; adopted children: Marilyn (Bear) Cloud of Ponemah and Santanna (Justin) Cloud of Bemidji; adopted siblings: Rosa (Keith), TerriAnn, Muriel, and Bill Stately; nieces and nephews that he loved as his own: Mark (Phyllis) Jourdain, Paul (Brandi) Jourdain, Heather (Jonathan) Smith, Charles (Tasha) Smith, Alvin Johnson III, Simone (Jordan) Strong, Allen (Tashina) Strong, Jared Thompson.

He was preceded in death by his father, William “Pun” Strong; sisters: Casey Jourdain, Stacy Strong, Catherine Strong; brothers: Ed Jones, Paul Jourdain Sr., James  “Duke” Thunder; sons: Franklyn “June” Strong Jr., Joseph “Baby Joe” Strong, Theodore Strong; grandparents: Ed and Eva (Johnson) Morgan and Simon and Susan (Iyadub) Strong; special cousins: Lyle Neadeau and Earl Smith.

The wake will begin at 4PM on Friday, July 19, 2024, at the Old Red Lake Center in Red Lake and continue until the service at 1PM on Sunday, July 21, 2024. Active pallbearers will be: Tyrell Jones, Jalen Jones, Mark Jourdain, Charles “Earl” Smith, Charles “Chaz” Smith, Quinny Johns, Bill Stately, Jesse Santos and Shane Sigana Sr. Honorary pallbearers will be: Valerie Cournoyer, Karen Jones, Dave Cournoyer Sr., Keith Beaulieu, Pete English, A.J. Jourdain, Jeff Jourdain, Rob Parker Sr., Stephan Strong, Jonathan “J.W.” Parker Sr., Jay Barrett, Doug Dudley and Roger Johnson.  Burial will be at the Episcopal Cemetery in Red Lake. Military honors will be provided by Three Star Warrior Society "O'Bahsheeng".  Arrangements provided by Whispering Pines Funeral & Cremation Service of Walker & Hackensack, MN.

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