James Roger Strate Obituary (2024)

James Roger Strate, age 92, peacefully passed away at Cottage in the Meadow in Yakima, Washington on February 24, 2024. Roger was born October 29, 1931 in Darby, Montana to Lester Strate and Violet (Oswald) Strate. He graduated from Hamilton High School in Hamilton, Montana and went on to get his college degree in education at Chico State College in California and then his Masters Degree at Central Washington State College. He began his teaching career in Colusa, California and then moved to Washington State and taught at Parker Heights and then moved to Selah, Washington where he was hired as a 5th grade teacher at Sunset Elementary School. He taught many years and then became Assistant Principal of Selah Middle School. While beginning his teaching career, he also began a family with his first wife (Mary Strate). They had two daughters whom he adored. He was ever-present in their activities and supportive in all the loving ways a father can be. In 1983, he married Valerie Hammons. Roger became a loving stepfather to Valerie's three sons and was an involved and supportive person in their lives. Roger was a positive influence in so many of the student's lives he taught and counseled in his tenure in the Selah school system. Although he could be strict, he was always fair and many of the students he disciplined when they were in school approached him when they were grown to express their heartfelt thanks to him for taking the time to listen and give advice and that these encounters had helped them straighten out their lives. Besides the satisfaction of educating students, these encounters gave Roger great joy because, these are the very things he hoped to accomplish as an educator. Roger was an active member in his community, as well as the school district. He belonged to the Jaycees, the Elks, and over the years helped with many fund-raisers including the Special Olympics. As a young man, Roger loved working with horses and was a darn good pool and card player. When in college he joined the golf team and there began a lifelong love of golf and became a very good player. He enjoyed and was good at social dancing (especially the jitterbug) and liked traveling with Valerie, family and dear friends. But, to Roger, all of these things took a backseat to spending time with family. Whenever any members of the family were together sharing a drink or a meal he would always make a toast to family-those who were present and those who he wished could be there. Roger is preceded in death by his father, mother and older brother Charles Strate. Roger is survived by his loving wife Valerie, his two daughters, Dana (Strate) Diemer (Gerard) and their children, Sara (Strate) Blankenbaker (Mike), stepsons, Shawn Hammons and his children, Aaron Hammons and his children, Scott Hammons (Sharon) and their children and three beloved great grandchildren. There will be no funeral service. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Shriner's Hospital in Spokane, Washington where Roger spent five years of his early childhood being treated for tuberculosis of the joints. You may use this link to donate: https://donate.lovetotherescue.org/fundraiser/5316221 Brookside Funeral Home is caring for the family. www.brooksidefuneral.com