Ed Strait, 72, Former Longtime Saline Resident, SHS 1962

Edward Alton Strait, 72, of Gilbert, AZ former longtime Saline resident, died peacefully with family at his side on Wednesday, March 29, 2017, of complications from Parkinson’s disease. He was born on June 27, 1944 in Battle Creek, son of Elwin (Mike) Strait and Elizabeth (Jeanette) Viele Strait.  He graduated in 1962 with highest honors from Saline HS, where he lettered in basketball, football and track. 

He was a member of the Saline High School band, National Honor Society, Key Club International, S Club, Babe Ruth Baseball League, Connie Mack Baseball League, and Boy Scouts of America.

He graduated from the University of Michigan with a BS in Industrial and Operations Engineering.  In August 1985, Honeywell relocated Ed from Michigan to Arizona.  He enjoyed a long successful career in software engineering before retiring in January 2013.

Ed loved basketball and played it very well. He played U-M freshman and intramural basketball, and was undefeated for over a decade playing on the Ann Arbor City League Basketball team sponsored by Domino's Pizza. In addition, Ed formed the Christian basketball league in the Greater Ann Arbor Area.  He held several records at SHS for his free-throw shooting.

An avid genealogist, Ed is a Direct Mayflower Descendant in honor of ninth great grandfather Edward Doty, a passenger on the 1620 voyage of the Mayflower to North America and signer of the Mayflower Compact. 

He married his high school sweetheart Doris “Jeanie” Russell on June 16, 1966 at York Baptist Church, Milan.  He is survived by his beloved wife Jeanie, son Eric and wife Carrie, granddaughters Natalie, Vanessa, Noelle, and Claire, all of Gilbert, AZ; brother James and wife Jill, and sister, Bonnie, all of Saline. He is preceded in death by his parents Mike and Jeanette, brother David and grandson Elmo.

We would like to express a special thank you to his medical and hospice staff.  Cremation has taken place and a celebration a life was held with his family and friends. Memorial contributions may be made in his name to The National Parkinson Foundation.

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