John Strecker Dies

Long time friend of the family John Strecker died the other day. He was the father of Taylor Strecker, my good friend and cohort in the food business. The Streckers lived next door to us in Columbia Missouri, our families have known each other for some 60 years. We will miss you John, say hello to Ralph, your good friend, who proceeded you in death by a year and change.

John was one of those quiet thinkers, kind of like Taylor. You could present an idea to him, and he would internalize it before speaking on the topic. He passed this on to Taylor. I have always thought that he was the spitting image of his father, reserved, logical, well thought. There is a certain quality in all the Strecker offspring, Brad, Debra and Taylor, an intellectual process, that points to John Strecker. He raised brilliant kids, family people, devoted. This was the magic of John Strecker.

He was married to Annetta Strecker of Kentucky. A real Kentucky princess. I love Annetta as everyone does. Her southern hospitality can be found 5 seconds in to a conversation with her. She would do a lot of the talking, while John would soak it all in. I liked that about those two. They just seemed to fit. They complimented each other like a glove. I always admired this about them.

John was in advertising and had a connection to the sales and management of KOMU TV in Columbia for as long as I can remember. He had an impact on many lives in this industry. I remember Angela Woods used to work for him, at the time married to my good friend Matt Woods, atty, in Columbia. Angela regarded John as a mentor and teacher, helping her to grasp the intricacies of media marketing and sales. She absolutely loved this guy, and told everyone how much he had impacted her career. John helped our company do press releases from time to time, always having the right choice of words.

It sucks when you lose a parent. I am at the age when a lot of my friends are having to deal with this. We watch our parents get old, some get sick and die. We battle our own realization of mortality when this happens. When a parent dies you feel alone, a little more grown up and held that much more accountable. You become the replacement sometimes, that which is counted on for wisdom, decision making and sometimes, unpopular opinion. These are the characteristics of a new level of maturity--age. And it marks a point in our lives when we feel that we are just a little more closer to death ourselves.

When this happens it might be necessary to look real close at your own family, others who were close to the influence of the passing loved one. Look real close. You will see the magic-- subtle at first, then very obvious. The spirit and values of your lost one comes shining through. You will find that you have never totally lost them, they have never really left you completely. They live in your spirit and the others, carrying on the image, stature and character to be passed on again and again.

That is the magic. John isn't letting anyone down.