John Byron Strait is the late father of country music singer, songwriter, actor, and music producer George Strait. John’s son George’s style of country music has been largely labeled as neotraditional country, which relies on traditional instrumentation in country music. As an actor, he has appeared in the films “Pure Country” and “Long Story Short: Willie Nelson 90.”
John Byron Strait: Bio Summary
| Name | John Byron Strait |
| Date of birth | 11 January 1922 |
| Place of birth | Brown County, Texas, USA |
| Famous as | father of George Strait |
| Died | 4 June 2013 (aged 91) |
| Parents | John Samuel Strait and Winifred Baugh Strait |
| Children | George Strait, Buddy Strait, and Pency Edel |
| Spouse | Doris Couser Strait |
| Grandchildren | George Strait Jr. and Jenifer Strait |
Who Was George Strait’s Father, John Byron Strait?
John Byron Strait was born on 11 January 1922, in Brown County, Texas, USA. His parents were John Samuel Strait and Winifred Baugh Strait. He was a junior high school mathematics teacher and rancher. He taught maths in the Pearsall ISD for more than 30 years and was active in the Gideons International. He was in the United States Army and served during World War II.
John was married to Doris Jean Couser (June 26, 1930 – January 30, 2010). He and Doris’ marriage failed and they got divorced. Doris then left with their daughter Pency Edel and John had to raise their two sons, John Byron “Buddy” Strait Jr. (1950–2009) and George Harvey Strait Sr. He raised his sons as a single father with the help of his mother. His son George said:
“After my parents divorced, my brother and I were with our dad, who raised Buddy and me as a single father. His mother, our grandmother, was such a big part of that; she was always there for us. He had to work, and she really stepped into the role of helping raise us.” John Byron Strait Sr and his sons Buddy and George were ranching mostly during Buddy and George’s early years.
John Sr raised his sons in “a real religious atmosphere”. George said in an interview: “My dad, of course, raised my brother and me on his own, and he raised us in a real religious atmosphere. We’re all Baptists, and he always told me that the Lord would tell me what He wanted me to do with my life; and I kind of believe that’s really true. So I didn’t worry about it much, didn’t think about it that much.”
John Sr’s children grew up in nearby Pearsall, in Frio County, where he was a maths teacher and owned a 2,000-acre (810 ha) cattle ranch outside of Big Wells, Texas. The family worked at the ranch on the weekends and in the summers. John Sr was married to Anna Lee McAnelly Fronczek Strait. He lived a very private life away from the spotlight.
ALSO, READ: Doris Couser Strait: How Did George Strait’s Mother Die?
John Byron Strait had a very close relationship with his son George Strait. George once revealed in 2012: “My dad is still with us. He’s 90, he’ll be 91 in January. He’s given me so many life lessons and things he probably doesn’t even know he does and did. He gave me my faith in God. Growing up, even when I didn’t want to go to church, he made me go.”
“He still teaches me today. I’ve been blessed my whole life with his presence and his guidance. I’m so blessed to have him in my life for so long, and for him to be here for his great-grandson’s birth too”, George Strait added. John Sr’s love and support helped shape George, named the “King of Country Music”, into the successful singer-songwriter he is today.
George Strait is a country music entertainer who holds the record for most number-one songs on all charts by an artist, in any genre of music. He has released several singles and albums. He has sold more than 120 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling music artists of all time. He has received several honors and awards for his contributions to the music industry.
John Byron Strait Died In 2013
On 4 June 2013, John Byron Strait died at age 91, in Pearsall, Frio County, Texas, USA after battling a lengthy illness. He died after he was hospitalized for nearly a month. “We are grateful for the time over the last few weeks we were able to spend with Daddy before he passed away,” his son George Strait said. “I want to thank everyone for their prayers and support during this difficult time as we mourn our family’s loss.”
John was buried at Big Wells Cemetery, Big Wells, Dimmit County, Texas, USA. He is survived by his wife Anna, son, George and his wife, Norma Strait, daughter, Pency Edel and her husband, grandchildren, George “Bubba” Harvey Strait Jr. and his wife Tamara, Kara Silva and her husband, John, John B. “Trey” Strait III, Walker Strait, great-grandchildren, George Harvey Strait III, Kailey Garcia, Niessa Silva, Avery Silva and John Silva.
John Byron Strait Sr was preceded in death by his son John “Buddy” Byron Strait Jr. and granddaughter Jenifer Strait. Jenifer lost her life after she was involved in a car accident in San Marcos on June 25, 1986. She died at the age of 13. The family set up the Jenifer Lynn Strait Foundation, which donates money to children’s charities mostly in the San Antonio area. George Strait said of losing his daughter:
ALSO, READ: Jenifer Strait: What Happened To George Strait’s Daughter?
“I got even more private after I lost my daughter. That’s when I really shut things down. I didn’t feel like talking to anybody that wasn’t really close to me.”
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