Dr. Gerald Strong, age 82, of Haymarket, Virginia passed away on Wednesday, June 12, 2019 at 7:20 p.m. Dr. Strong was born and raised in Little, Kentucky, a former resident of Kettering, Ohio and member of Christ United Methodist Church of Kettering, Ohio. He graduated with a Bachelor's Degree and a Master's Degree from Eastern Kentucky University. He earned his Doctorate of Education from Indiana University. During his professional career in education, Dr. Strong taught high school classes in business and English. He also served as school principal and curriculum director. In Kentucky, he taught in the Breathitt County and Owsley County schools. In Ohio, he worked for the Mad River School District, Vandalia City Schools and Xenia City Schools. Dr. Strong was a proud graduate of Breathitt County High School and frequently attended class reunions. He enjoyed dancing and playing checkers, chess, and cards with his friends and family. He loved fishing and believed any day spent fishing was a great day. Dr. Strong was preceded in death by his wife of thirty-six years, Virginia Ruth Smith Strong of Booneville, Kentucky, his parents Clifton and Nancy Ann Short Strong of Little, Kentucky, and his siblings Grace Mays Macintosh, Geneva Strong Brown, Ottis Strong, Simon Strong, Caesar Strong, Rev. Walter Strong, Freida Strong, Omeda Strong Combs, Mary Sonya Strong Collier and his brother-in-law, Donald L. Gabbard. Dr. Strong is survived by his devoted daughter, Kimberly Strong and son-in-law Tom Burks, his grandchildren Julia Burks and Nathan Burks of Haymarket, Virginia, his brother, Brack (Judy) Strong of Hamilton, Ohio, sisters-in-law, Pauline Smith Gabbard, Freda Campbell Smith and brother-in-law, Paul Smith of Booneville, Kentucky. Dr. Strong is also survived by many loving nieces, nephews and friends. Visitation will be held at the Breathitt Funeral Home, Jackson, Kentucky on Saturday, June 15, 2019 from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. with services at 2:00 p.m., the Rev. J. Jamison Brunk officiating. Dr. Strong will be laid to rest beside his wife at the Shepherd Cemetery, Booneville, Kentucky. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made and the link be shared for the gofundme to assist John Bortos and his family: https://tinyurl.com/y5eye64t