Joseph Theodore Strong was born on August 11, 1970 in St. Louis, Missouri. Joe was the youngest of nine children born to his parents, Huey and Florence Strong. He was preceded in life by an older brother John, and seven older sisters: Carol, Cathy, Margie, Linda, Barbie, Anna, and Rosie. 
Joe’s childhood started in the Walnut Park neighborhood in St. Louis and was full of fun and laughter. He was close friends with the Nogalski family and attended Nativity of Our Lord School. When Joe started 2nd grade his family moved to Arnold, Missouri where he attended the Fox School District.
Tragedy befell Joe at an early age when his brother, John, was killed in an automobile accident. His brother left behind a 2 year old son, Ryan, to whom Joe would become very close.
He hung out with neighborhood friends such as Mike Petrillo, Brian Klienschrodt, Kenny Snicker and David Cretchly and worked at jobs such as Clown’s Custard Shop and National supermarket. Joe was easily bored and would amuse himself with antics such as deep frying wallets at Baker’s Restaurant in Arnold where he also worked.
Joe was quite the handyman and helped around at his parents’ house quite a bit. He worked on his father’s train boards and liked to start his morning listening to Crazy Train or Ironman while in high school. He bought his first car, “Beauty,” for $50, rebuilt the engine and got many years out of her.
Joe met Mark Smith at Fox High School who became his roommate at Mizzou in Hatch Hall. The summer after graduating high school, seventeen year old Joe would meet the love of his life and soul mate, Cynthia Madsen, who was a friend of his sister Rosie. Joe left the family home and traveled to Columbia, Missouri in the fall of 1988 in pursuit of a degree in mechanical engineering. Joe met Ken O’Donnell and his best man, Doug Scott, his first year at Mizzou. Joe had a little too much fun his first year at Mizzou, playing practical jokes. His grades suffered his first year but then he made the Dean’s List practically every semester.
He and Cindy traveled every weekend to see each other the first year of college and Joe convinced Cindy to transfer to Mizzou so they could be together. Joe lived at various places with Mark, Ken and Doug. Many a good time could be had at the foursome's house on University Street. Joe put himself through college and worked various jobs such as at the athletic dining hall with his sister Anna and Church’s Chicken with Cathy where he was known to wear the chicken outfit to bring in customers.
Joe graduated from Mizzou in 1993. He worked at Mark Andy and then Casco Corporation. Joe furthered his education by attending the University of Missouri at Rolla for his Masters Degree in Engineering. In Rolla he met Tim Limmer, Ed Sieveking, and Brian Lowe where the practical jokes continued. He interned with Copeland Corporation in Lebanon, Missouri.
Joe and Cindy were married October 19, 1996 while he was still a student at Rolla. Theirs was a love that most never find. Joe and Cindy did almost everything together -- traveling, balloon glows, car shows, getting together with family and friends. No matter what, they always seemed to make each other laugh. Cindy described their relationship best when after his death she said “we had it all, we loved each other, we had everything together, and that’s all we needed.”
Joe joined the Genome Sequencing Center at the Washington University School of Medicine in 1997. Both he and his wife embraced their work environment. Joe and Cindy commuted together daily. While unassuming, Joe naturally established deep and meaningful friendships with so many by always making the extra effort to help his coworkers in all situations. Joe completed his degree from Rolla in 2000 by taking evening classes while working full time.
Joe enjoyed a vast array of hobbies and activities. His love of music spanned many different types. A few favorites included The Red Hot Chilli Peppers, The Smiths, Elton John, Stevie Wonder, the Urge, Pale Divine and 
Nelly. He was mechanically inclined and enjoyed working on his cars. His 1965 Austin Healy Sprite would eventually be a car show winner. Joe enjoyed sports and could converse about any of St. Louis’ sports teams. Joe loved the game of golf even though by his own admission he was not very good at it. But as with everything he always had a good time. He enjoyed float trips, the outdoors, family gatherings, or anywhere he could just share a cold brew and have a laugh with friends. His laughter and sense of humor were contagious.
Joe was one of the most genuine people you could meet. He would help out anyone who needed it and often 'help' meant finishing the job that you started. He gave generously to his nephew Ryan. Joe had a rusted out VW Beetle that he let Ryan drive to keep the car running and to just let Ryan have some wheels. Whitey, the bug, had holes rusted through the floor so often the only seat was the driver's. The first time Ryan rode in the bug he sat on the battery, which sat on a hub cap, which mostly covered a gaping hole. Ryan drove Joe's bug for a year and a half until Ryan bought his own and then Joe was there every time Ryan broke down to give a tow. Joe's word was gold to Ryan, any advice Joe was giving Ryan was taking. Joe taught Ryan how to golf, play racquetball, where to mountain bike, what good music was, how to get what you need from a junk yard, how to tell a joke, how to rub on a tatoo, and how to dance. Joe was a mentor and a great friend.
Son Benjamin was born on August 30, 2004 and it was apparent that Joe was such a proud papa. 
Joe was a great father, who regularly took young Ben on outings. Another son, Steven, followed on August 12, 2006 and Joe could not have been any happier. In the brief time Joe had with his sons and through his relationship with Ryan, it is easy to imagine how good of a father he would have been through the years.
Joe truly enjoyed getting together with family, whether with the Strongs or the Madsens. Late night drinking and laughter could never be ruled out at a function that included Joe. His hospitality frequently included the phrase "can I get you a cool one?" Joe was a favorite uncle to his many nieces and nephews who were drawn to his humorous and kind ways. Uncle Joe always used his unique phrase’s such as “Let ‘er rip, ‘tater chip” or “What’s going on here girly girl” when around the kids.
Joe Strong could rarely if ever be goaded into saying something unkind toward others. Furthermore he was never boastful of the endless acts of kindness he performed. In fact, most of Joe’s numerous good deeds never came to light until after his death, when strangers and friends alike shared many stories of his compassion. Whether it be the handcrafting of a casket for a friend’s cherished pet, to fixing up, repairing, sandblasting, or welding back together various items for people, to his never passing up an opportunity to give blood, to renting pans for baking specialty cakes for co-workers, to organizing golf tournaments to benefit charity, to taking the time out of his busy schedule to aide and assist others, to even the donation of his organs upon his death were just a few examples of Joe’s kind and generous heart and were unbeknownst to many but not surprising to those who knew him.
Joe left us and this earth on December 23, 2006. Joe was in the midst of improving his health through vigorous exercise training when he took off for a bicycle ride before his family awoke like so many times before that fateful morning. He was riding near his home when he was struck by a pickup truck and was killed instantly. What crossed his mind at that intersection we will never know, but for all who knew Joe one thing is certain -- he will be deeply missed and never forgotten, ever. Mere words will never capture what an amazing legacy Joseph Theodore Strong has left us.