UTICA — Ellis Lamar Strong Jr. died Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2009, at his home. He was 58.

Mr. Strong was a lifelong resident of Utica and a member of Utica Christian Church. He was a graduate of Utica High School and Mississippi College of Law. He was outstanding in cross country track.

He was preceded in death by his father, Ellis Lamar Strong Sr.

Survivors include his mother, Margie Curtis Strong of Utica; two brothers, Jerry Strong of Utica and Larry Strong of St. Louis, Mo.; and two sisters, Brenda Benson and Barbara Thomas, both of Madison.

Services will be Thursday at 11 a.m. at Utica Christian Church with the Rev. Brad Hartzog officiating. Burial will follow at Utica Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 until 7 tonight at Glenwood Funeral Home in Utica.

Pallbearers will be Robert Benson, Ray Skates, Harold Dungan, Bill Dreher, Argle Pennington, Don Curtis, David Dreher and Ron McNeil.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718.