Dick Strain Cashes in His Chips

Special to FreeRepublic ^ | 29 May 2007 | John Armor (Congressman Billybob)

[Congressman Billybob]

For 300 weeks, give or take a few, I’ve played poker every Tuesday with the Coots. That’s a group here in Highlands, organized by Dick Strain and usually gathered around his round dining room table for these “probability seminars.”

Last week, at the age of 82, Dick Strain cashed in his chips. No longer will this gentle man face us across a poker table, and relieve us of our ready cash. You can learn a great deal about a man by playing poker with him. Here’s what I learned about Dick. (Note that "gentle man" is two words, so the meaning isn't lost.)

He was a very smart man. Anyone who occasionally puts the columns of Dr. Thomas Sowell on his refrigerator, takes his politics and social studies seriously. Mind you, we weren’t in the habit of discussing the differences between Aristotle’s Politics and Machiavelli’s The Prince in between hands of seven-card, high-low poker. Still, we got into serious matters both local and national from time to time, and Dick was always a thoughtful participant.

Dick was a manager who came to Highlands in 1975. A few years later, he opened his own business, that’s alive and well today. He wasn’t a native, but he definitely was an old-timer. He loved the Lord, his church, his community and his family, and gladly served them all.

On the subject of age, here’s why the poker group was referred to as the Coots. Dick was the oldest of the group. He and Harold served in WW II. Dick was in the Army Air Corps. Harold was in the Navy, and served in the Pacific.

Even the youngest of us have our aches and pains, except for Ted. He was once a professional dealer in Las Vegas. Now he’s settled down, married, and works as a goldsmith in his own jewelry store. He’s too young to be a real Coot, but he manages the game and maintains the bank. So, we keep him while he ages.

Near the end, Dick’s legs started to fail, so he got one of those scooters which he didn’t like and preferred not to use. He also got an oxygen tank, and didn’t like that, either. Instead, he preferred to come to the table on his own steam, pick up his cards, put on his poker face, and defy us to know what he was holding.

Dick was good at lurking in the bushes. He’d let other people raise, and he’d just stay in the game. Finally, on the last round he’d raise, and smile his patented smile, and wait for us to fold in fear, or stay and lose.

Sometimes he whipped us bad, but there was no ill will. Not a bit. Everywhere he went, folks naturally liked him. At the Health Tracks Program at Highlands-Cashiers Hospital, they do cardio-rehabilitation and general health care. They miss Dick. All the ladies asked after him, from the silver-haired veterans to the young whippets who are the guides and trainers.

Dick’s Memorial Service was this week, at the First Presbyterian Church where he’d sung in the choir for decades. He leaves behind three daughters, two grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, a whole community that loved him, and seven Coots who have this to say,

“Walk with strength, travel light and far, and may you fill your inside straights forever.” - 30 -

About the Author: John Armor practiced in the US Supreme Court for 33 years. John_Armor@aya.yale.edu He lives in the 11th District of North Carolina.

- 30 -

[Congressman Billybob]

This is highly personal. On the other hand, it's about a man who's a fine example to anybody. So, here's the last eulogy I'm likely to write, because too many fine people are dying and the eulogies would knock out the politics I want to write about.

John / Billybob

[lonestar]

Aren’t you lucky to have known this old Coot!

[Osage Orange]

John,

You are a up-standing man....

And I admire that in anyone...

Best FRegards,

[Drango]

It’s amazing that FReepers would use an eulogy to post vulgar, crass names. Sad.

[Congressman Billybob]

I went to the Memorial Service for Dick this afternoon. I learned a lot about what he had done, for decades, for other people, that I never heard him talk about. I said to his youngest daughter that he was like an iceberg -- only 1/7th of the good that he did was visible above the surface.

Yes, I am very lucky to have known this gentle man.

John / Billybob

[zebra 2]

An ITT executive I knew in the 70’s was named Cash Register.

[tet68]

Keep his memory alive and strive to live up to it.
Thanks for the article.

[Grizzled Bear]

Sounds like a helluva guy.

If you hoist a drink in his honor hoist one for me.

God bless you,

GB