Date Created: 03/05/2018
Last Updated: 03/10/2018

In loving memory of George David Strother
10/2/1970 - 3/10/2015

Location: Pineville, Louisiana

Visits: 13,008

This memorial was created in honor of George David Strother of Pineville, Louisiana. David was born on October 2, 1970 and passed on March 10, 2015. David was loved by many and will be dearly missed by all friends and family.

Chief Warrant Officer 4 George David Strother

October 2, 1970 - March 10, 2015

Chief Warrant Officer 4 George David Strother, 44, of Alexandria entered eternal rest on Tuesday, March 10, 2015 when his UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crashed while performing a nighttime exercise in the Santa Rosa Sound near Navarre Beach, Florida. David, Army Aviator, was assigned to the 1st Assault Helicopter Battalion, 244th Aviation Regiment, TF-Voodoo based in Hammond, Louisiana. Prior to this assignment, he served with F Company, 2-135th MEDEVAC, Bayou Dust-off based in Pineville, Louisiana.

CWO 4 Strother served in the Louisiana National Guard from 1988-2007, and again from 2009 until his death. He started his career with the Louisiana National Guard, by enlisting into Detachment 1, HHC 256th Infantry Brigade, in Pineville, Louisiana as a Utility Helicopter repairer. He quickly moved up the enlisted ranks, attended PLDC in April of 1991 and was promoted to sergeant on January 17, 1992. While serving active in the Louisiana National Guard, Strother served as a Team Leader for the Youth Challenge Program of Louisiana from August 16, 1993 until October 9, 1994. He was then Honorable Discharged on November 30, 1994 and chose a different career path and was appointed as a Warrant Officer One in the Louisiana National Guard on December 1, 1994. After completing Warrant Officer Basic course in fall of 1995, he then concentrated his career path towards Helicopter Aviation. As an Observation Helicopter Pilot, Strother was then dual rolled and served as the Training, Advising, and Counseling Officer for the 199th Leadership Regiment from November 1996 until August of 1998. During that time frame, he was promoted to Chief Warrant Officer Two on January 10, 1997. When assigned back to Company C, 1-244th Aviation Battalion, Strother continued his Aviation education, by completing the Utility Helicopter Aviator Qualification Course in August of 1999, and Aviation Maintenance Manager Course in June of 2001. With Strother's quick progression, he was appointed as company commander of Detachment 1, Company E, 111 Air Traffic Services Company in Pineville, LA, from September 2, 2002 until February 1, 2004. During his time with Det 1, Company E, 111th ATS Company, Strother completed Utility Helicopter 1 Aviator Qualification Course in March of 2002. With his command time behind him, Strother then was called to active duty to serve in Iraq as a Black Hawk Pilot from February 1, 2004 until January 31, 2005. With over a yearlong deployment behind him, Strother was tasked to perform search and rescue missions during the Hurricane Katrina humanitarian efforts from August 29th to December 31st, 2005. After Hurricane Katrina, Strother continued his service with the Louisiana National Guard with Company C, 1-244th Aviation Battalion, while receiving a promotion to Chief Warrant Officer 3 on February 20, 2007 and then was Honorable Discharged on March 5, 2007. After a small break in service, Strother chose to continue his military career. He re-enlisted back in the Louisiana National Guard with the 812th Medical Company, located in Pineville on February 20, 2007 as an Aero Medical Evacuation Pilot. With his three year time with the 812th Med Co, Strother was transferred to Company F, 2-135th Aviation Battalion and deployed to Afghanistan from May 8, 2011. After his eleven month deployment, Strother continued to complete his military education needs and completed Warrant Officer Staff Course on July 23, 2011. With a short time lapsed, Strother was promoted to Chief Warrant Officer 4 on December 7, 2013. Newly promoted Strother was then order to active duty in support of Operation Joint Guardian (KFOR) on January 6, 2014 and served in Kosovo from January 12, 2014 to October 6, 2014. While serving in Kosovo, CW4 Strother was presented a letter of Commendation for search and rescue duties he successfully completed while serving his short term tour. During Strother's career, he was qualified to fly the OH-58 (Kiowa), UH-1 (Huey), and UH-60 Black Hawk and with these qualifications, he logged over 2, 400 flight hours, to include than 700 combat hours.

Strother's awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal (3rd Award), Army Commendation Medal (3rd Award), Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal (7th Award), National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Service Star, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Irag Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Silver Hourglass and M Device, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (3rd award), NATO Medal, Louisiana War Cross (3rd Award), Louisiana Cold War Victory Ribbon, Louisiana Emergency Service Medal (3rd Award), Louisiana General Excellence Ribbon and Louisiana Longevity Ribbon (4th Award). He had earned the Combat Action Badge and Master Aviator Badge.

David is survived by his loving wife of 20 years, Melissa Rachal Strother of Alexandria; son, George David "DJ" Strother, II of Alexandria; daughter, Chelsie Rachal of Alexandria; his mother, Sara Nell Vercher Strother of Pineville; brother, Bob Strother (Dawn) of Tomball, Texas; sister, Elizabeth Denell Wolf (Chris) of Alexandria; and numerous nieces and nephews, all whom he loved dearly. David was a member of the Trinity Baptist Church, Pineville.

Along with a passion for flying, David enjoyed songwriting, sports, riding four-wheelers, and playing music with his friends and family. His greatest chapter ever written was his son, DJ, who is, thankfully, a carbon copy of his father.

He is preceded in death by his father, George Douglas "Coach" Strother; and his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Homer Strother & Mr. and Mrs. Willis Vercher.

Visitation is scheduled for Wednesday, March 25, 2015 at the Alexandria Riverfront Center from 12 noon until 9 p.m. A Service of Military Full Honors will be held Thursday, March 26, 2015 at the Alexandria Riverfront Center at 4 p.m., with an earlier visitation beginning at 12 noon. Brother Darryl Hoychick and Chaplain Col. Jeffrey Mitchell will be officiating. A sunset internment will be held under Full Military Honors at Alexandria Memorial Gardens, Woodworth, arrangements are entrusted to White Oaks Funeral Home, Alexandria. Reception will follow at the Alexandria Riverfront Center.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to the Mojo 69 Memorial Fund, giveforward.com.

"To describe Dave Strother as a big personality would not be accurate. He was more like a force of nature that could best be observed and marveled at, never opposed or altered," according to close friends. "His huge heart touched the lives of all he met."

 
 
 
 

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