Frank & Bright Funeral Home
Rev. Rick Stratton
Oct 26th, 1951 - Jan 21st, 2014Reverend Richard Leroy “Rick” Stratton, age 62, of Flora, Illinois went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, January 21, 2014 at Clay County Hospital in Flora.
Rick was born October 26, 1951 in Carlinville, Illinois to Robert and Alice (Wilson) Stratton. He married Marcia Ann Duvernay on May 26, 1973 in Spring Lake Park, Minnesota.
Remembered as a dependable friend, a respected mentor, and a man of compassion and generosity, he touched the lives of many. Rick loved his God, his family, and his church, and he enjoyed spending time with his three rambunctious grandchildren.
After completing a degree at North Central Bible College in Minneapolis, he began a life of service to Christ as an ordained minister in the Assembly of God. His ministry spanned 40 years. He served as a youth pastor, congregational minister, and evangelist throughout the Midwest, including Flora and Washington Park Illinois. Throughout his career, Rick found joy in ministering to people of all ages. Since 2006, he served as Pastor of Salem Assembly of God and Executive Presbyter of the South Eastern section of the Illinois District of The Assembly of God.
Rick enjoyed fishing, playing golf, and riding motorcycles. He had a knack for fixing broken stuff and was a computer wizard. Rick was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He was a dynamic preacher and caring pastor. But most importantly, he was a faithful follower of Jesus Christ, his Savior who undoubtedly welcomed him into the bosom of Abraham with the words, “Well done my good and faithful servant.”
Cancer took Rick’s vocal chords, but it didn’t take his voice or his witness. Despite his illness, Rick continued to preach the Gospel and serve Salem Assembly as Pastor. He was strong, and his faith in time of trial was an uplifting inspiration to many. On his blog, “The Journey,” he welcomed readers with lasting words of selfless encouragement: “My prayer for you today is that you will be blessed and victorious.” This was his prayer to those he loved, but in the end, it was he who was victorious. Cancer took his life, but neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor death, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate Rick from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Rick is survived by his wife: Marcia Ann Stratton of Flora; mother: Alice Stratton of Carlinville; two sons: Jason Robert Stratton (wife Aurelia Anne) of Springfield, Missouri and Jonathan Robert Stratton (wife Susan Elizabeth) of St. Louis, Missouri; three grandchildren: Andrew Jonathan, Audrey Brooke, Alyssa Beth, along with one grandchild expected later this summer; and two brothers: Ken Stratton of Carlinville and Donald Stratton (wife Lynda) of Granite City. He was preceded in death by his father.
The funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, January 25, 2014 at Salem Assembly of God with visitation starting at 10 a.m. Interment will be in Powers Cemetery, Xenia. Donations in Rick’s memory can be made to the Youth and Kid’s Program at Salem Assembly of God. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora. An online guest book is available at www.frankandbright.com.