Harry Leitch Strachan III

March 29, 1941 – April 27, 2025

Harry L Strachan III was born on March 29, 1941 in Springfield, Massachusetts and grew up with his father, Harry Jr., an anesthesiologist, his mother, Jasmine, a nurse, and his younger brother, Bill. Harry's father left to serve in World War II when he was just a baby and returned when he was a toddler, sparking the root of his lifelong passion for studying WWII history.

Harry attended his beloved St. George's School in Newport, Rhode Island, where he met some of his dearest friends. He then went on to earn his bachelor's degree at Tufts University and his law degree at Rutgers University. After passing the bar exam, Harry entered the Judge Advocate General's Corps (JAG) of the United States Navy. He was stationed first in Seattle and then in Manila, Philippines where he had many adventures. At the end of his military service, he moved to St. Louis to work for the Federal Strike Force, prosecuting members of organized crime.

While in St. Louis, Harry was set up on a blind date with Marion, a local, and they were engaged 3 weeks later. They married after 3 months, on July 17, 1971 and had a marriage of more than 53 years. They had two children, Melissa and Stephanie.

Harry worked in corporate law for most of his career, first at 7UP and then at Energizer. He loved his colleagues, and they loved him. He often looked to the legacy of his role model, Winston Churchill, to guide him as a leader in his profession and as a man of integrity in this world.

Harry was a dedicated husband to Marion and an amazing father. He embraced his role as "Papa" to his four grandchildren, Melissa's children, McAllister and Kyle in St. Louis, and Stephanie's children, Samuel and Thomas, who have grown up in Los Angeles. He was known for taking them out for an afternoon of movies, fishing, trips to the park, and "Papa's vegetables" (junk food).

Harry was always making witty jokes and using humor to lighten the mood. He loved WWII movies, Kendall Jackson Chardonnay, and a good Winston Churchill quote. He was unfailingly generous, quick with a compliment, and never knew a stranger. He will be sorely missed but left a powerful impact on those he loved.

"Do not grieve for me too much. I am a spirit confident of my rights. Death is only an incident, and not the most important which happens to us in this state of being. On the whole, especially since I met you, my darling one, I have been happy, and you have taught me how noble a woman's heart can be. If there is anywhere else, I shall be on the lookout for you. Meanwhile look forward, feel free, rejoice in life, cherish the children, guard my memory. God bless you. Goodbye, W."

-Winston Churchill in a letter to his wife, Clementine, to be opened upon his death

Visitation at the Ortmann Stipanovich Funeral Home, 12444 Olive Blvd. Creve Coeur, Fri., May 2, from 4-7 p.m. Service Sat., May 3 at 9 a.m. Interment Bellefontaine Cemetery.

Ortmann Stipanovich Funeral Home  osfuneralhomes.com