Phillip Wayne Strain, son of the late Wallace and Viola (Combs) Strain, was born February 20, 1943 in
the Nebo Community in Oregon County, MO, and entered his Heavenly home on January 1st, 2023
after a short hospital stay in West Branch, MI at the age of 79 years, 10 months and 12 days.

Phillip graduated from Alton High School as the Valedictorian of the Class of 1960. In August of 1961,
he married his high school sweetheart, Donna Kay Sanders. She preceded him in death after 52 years
of marriage, on October 25, 2013. To this union 2 daughters and 1 son were born.

Phillip became a Christian at an early age and was a long-time member of the First Christian Church in
Mountain Grove.

After high school graduation, Phillip attended the University of Missouri in Columbia. He worked
full-time while carrying a full load of classes for 3 years before being accepted into the University of
Missouri School of Dentistry in Kansas City. He graduated at the top of his class of 1968. After
graduation, he served in the United States Navy where he was stationed at Camp Pendleton with the
5th Marine Division in Oceanside, CA. He was quickly promoted to Dental Clinic manager due to his
work ethic, attention to detail and quality of work. After 2 years of service, he received an Honorable
Discharge with a rank of Lieutenant.

In 1970, the Strain family relocated to Mountain Grove, MO where Phillip established a successful
private dental practice. He retired in 2015 after serving the Mountain Grove community for 45 years.
Phillip "escaped" by pursuing the work he truly enjoyed, which was farming – whether it was milking
cows to raising beef cattle, cutting hay, chopping silage, or raising vegetables in the garden. If it had to
do with agriculture and getting his hands in the dirt, he enjoyed it. Phillip also enjoyed quail, deer and
squirrel hunting, with a little fishing thrown in for fun. He especially enjoyed hunting and fishing with his
kids and grandkids–he and Donna hosted "deer camp '' for several years, and it was hard to tell who
had more fun, him or the kids. Over the years he also enjoyed raising quail, bird dogs and German
Shepherds. It was common for him to bring a 5 gallon bucket full of puppies into the living room to play.

Phillip would tell you his greatest achievement was his family. He loved his family, he was always ready
to help and always ready with a word of advice whether we liked it, or not. He didn't sugar coat
things–he told it like it was, take it or leave it.

In February of 2015, Phillip married Connie Deaton, who survives him, of the home in Sterling, MI.
Besides his parents and first wife, he was preceded in death by his infant son, Curtis Wayne Strain;
brothers-in-law, Norman Mills, Jim Anseaume and Harold Sanders; sister-in-law, Esther Strain, and
most recently, his best friend, his Border Collie, Buddy.

He is survived by his daughters, Kim Virtue and husband, David and Deanna Shannon and husband,
Danny; grandchildren, Curtis Virtue and wife, Tonya, Katie Peterson and husband, Pete, Christopher
Shannon and wife, Kyla, Austyn Wade and husband, Jacob, and Walker Shannon. Great grandkids –
Kaylee, Kinlee, Raylee and Rylee Virtue, Case and Zella Peterson, Ollie and Ella Shannon. Brother,
Darrell Strain, and sisters, Linda Kay Caruthers and Judy Mills. In-laws (or outlaws as he referred to
them): Mack Caruthers, Connie Sanders, Carolyn Anseaume, Charles and Carol Sanders, James
Deaton, Kim Logue and Carol Alfred; along with numerous nieces, nephews and extended family
members. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

Memorials:

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research or to the Stubbs Cemetery