Lawrence Strawder, Jr. Obituary (1941 - 2018)

Retired Command Sergeant Major Lawrence Strawder, died peacefully at Moore Regional Hospital on June 24th in Pinehurst, N.C. at the age of 77. Lawrence Strawder is survived by his wife Elfriede "Max" Strawder of Vass, NC; son, Guy Strawder and wife, Joanne, of Virginia; daughter, Renee Poston and husband, Cliff, of Georgia; stepson, Paul Spiegler and wife, Sandy, of NC; nine grandchildren, Samantha Solley and husband, Ben; Amanda Sharps and husband, Elijah; Lexi Strawder; Raymond Warner and wife, Katherine; Connor Poston, Cade Poston, Tyler Spiegler, Haylee Wilks and husband, Justin; and Kourtney Spiegler; a great-grandson, Nathan Warner; sister, Ouida Biagiano and husband, Bernie, of Florida. He is preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence and Juanita Strawder, his sisters, Mary Strawder and Betty Rowland; and his brother, Buddy Strawder. Larry retired as the Command Sergeant Major of US Central Command after 27 years of cumulative active duty service with the US Army. His awards include the Silver Star, Legion of Merit, the Purple Heart Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (2 oak leaf clusters), and Vietnam Service Medal (5 campaigns). He served with the 1st, 7th and 20th Special Forces Groups during combat operations in Vietnam, and as a Company Commander for combat operations in the 5th Mobile Strike Force Command, A-503/1st Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group. He also earned the Combat Infantryman's Badge, a graduate of the Special Forces Underwater Operations/Combat Diver School, and the Master Parachutist's Badge having participated in more than 600 logged airborne operations. He was a lifetime member of the VFW John Boyd Post 7318 of Southern Pines, NC. Larry was a proud individual who loved his family and was dedicated to his country. A visitation for family and friends will be held at Adcock Funeral Home in Spring Lake, NC on Monday, July 2, 2018 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM. A funeral service will follow at 11 AM in the chapel of Adcock Funeral Home. Interment with military honors will follow in Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery on Fort Bragg, NC. A reception to follow at VFW 615 S. Page St, Southern Pines, NC 28387. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Larry's life. Condolences may be made at adcockfuneralandcrematory.com