Captain David Bruce Strong, JAGC, USN-Retired April 8, 2022 at the age of 81. Born on October 12, 1940 in Vancouver, British Columbia, he came to the United States when he was 2 weeks old. Most recently, Dave has resided partly in Samish Island, Washington and Peterborough, Ontario. He grew up in the Skagit Valley and graduated in 1958 from Burlington-Edison High School. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington in 1962, then his JD in 1971.
Dave was on active duty, in the U.S. Naval Reserve from 1963 to 1966 and on reserve duty from 1962 to 1993, where he retired as a captain in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps. Former Chief Assistant District Attorney for Island County, Washington (1971-1975), he practiced law in Burlington, WA from 1975 to 1993. He also served as a Burlington City Court Judge and District Court Commissioner of Skagit County.
Dave and his partner Marilynn have traveled to many interesting places both internationally and nationally. Early on, Asia called and they visited Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Thailand with the added bonus of a flight over Mount Everest. They have cruised Europe, Alaska, the Caribbean and Mexico as well as South America with a detour to Cusco and Matchu Pichu.
RV trips have taken them across the United States and Canada on several occasions, wintering in Arizona, playing in wild cactus country and visiting friends and family. Kananaskas, Alberta was a beautiful destination for several summers, where hiking was a favorite pastime, especially up to Mount Indefatigable where they encountered a grizzly bear! One of the highlights of their RV trip was their trip to Yellowknife, Northwest Territories of Canada, and having to stop while bison and arctic foxes decided to cross the road. Another time they traveled from Quebec to Labrador and Newfoundland, encountering herds of reindeer.
A 6 day llamas trek through the Olympic Mountains was very strenuous but enjoyable with the llamas carrying the tents and supplies. Several winters were spent cross-country skiing in Lake Louise with Marilynn’s sisters and son Matt and daughter Erin. Summer motorhome trips and hikes with grandchildren Max, Magnus and Axel are fond memories.
They have many fond memories of families, friends, places visited and people they met along the way. Memories of Roseberry Road, near Port Hope, Ontario, include Easter salmon barbecues for 30-40 people, snow removal, and building trails for walking and cross-country skiing.
Their 3-week tour of exotic Morocco with its goats in the trees was a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, and they returned home just as the pandemic lockdown began.
Community service was an important part of Dave’s life, including the Burlington-Edison Kiwanis Club and the Probus Club in Port Hope, Ontario. Dave was also a former member and chair of the Skagit Valley College Board of Trustees.
Dave is survived by his son Matt Strong (Graham Lord) of Mercer Island, WA and his grandchildren Abby (Harrison), Jacob, Lily, Grace, Ella, Max and his great-grandson Marcus; daughter Erin Strong Fulton (Nate Fulton) and grandsons Magnus and Axel of Yakima, WA; his partner, Marilynn Dunne of Peterborough, Ontario, and his family Steph (Dave), Mike (Cindy), Lynn (Tom), David (Dana), Tom (Brenda), and his grandchildren Laura (Phil), Kristy ( Jeff), Julie (Nate), Holly, Delaney, Shane, Mathew, Kate, Michael and his great-grandchildren Sophie, Emily, Lylie and Anna; his sister Janice Gourley (Dick Gourley) and his nephews Ken and Ron Jenkins, as well as many extended family members in and around Airdrie, Alberta.
Dave was predeceased by his father, former Burlington Mayor Adrian Strong, and his mother, Florence Clayton Strong. At Dave’s request, there will be no funeral; however, he asked that all join him and raise a cup of joy in remembrance.
If desired, memorial donations can be made to the Swedish Foundation for Research into Idiopathic Interstitial Pneumonia and Lung Disease; Providence General Foundation Everett Heart Center; or the Skagit Valley Hospital Foundation for cardiac care.
