Edward Strain, Jr. of Grand Rapids, Michigan, age 60, was promoted to Glory on June 28, 2019. He was born on January 1, 1959 in Nashville, Tennessee. Chef Ed started cooking at the spry young age of eight years old. He remembers always being in the kitchen with his Mom (Ora) and his grandmother (Georgia). Even then they had high expectations for Ed, frequently allowing him to prepare meals for his family of thirteen. Chef Ed graduated from high school while attending culinary school at night. In 1978, he obtained his Culinary Art Degree from Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Several years later, he returned to the University of Wisconsin where he was deemed Master Chef. Chef Ed spent the first several years of his career cooking in several high-end Grand Rapids area restaurants; Charley's Crab and Amway to name a couple. Eventually, he decided to change his course and turned to specializing in preparing and cooking dietary meals for senior citizens. Chef Ed joined the Dietary Department at Fulton Manor (Holland Homes) in 1996 where he worked as their beloved chef for 17 years. Soon after starting this new position, he met the love of his life, D. Marie at the Manor, married and joined a blended family of five girls and two boys. Those were busy and very fulfilling years for Chef Ed. Ed retired from Fulton Manor in 2013 and, not surprising to his family, he became restless and soon assumed the new position of Director of Dietary Needs at Vista Springs Retirement Home in Grand Rapids. He left Vista Springs after a couple of years, and moved on to his final cooking adventure, where he found much joy and fulfillment cooking for and serving the homeless at DeGage Ministry, while also teaching culinary students at Grand Rapids Job Corp. Chef Ed's life has been one of abundance with much love, family, good food and laughter. His parents Ora Lee Robinson and Edward Strain, Sr.; unborn son Bernard Edward Strain; and four brothers preceded him to Glory. Edward leaves to cherish his memory, his loving wife, D. Marie Strain; children Talisha (Aubrey) Patterson, Shawn Scott, Duane Scott, Terry (Arlesia) Kimbro, Jr., and Ann'a Kimbro; step-mother Josephine Strain; sisters Eddie Frances and Sandra Triblet. His very dear friends Terry Kimbro, Sr., Brad (Lori) Kramer, Marie (Aric) Dursham, and Scott Dowling; his beloved cousin Margrete Medley; grandchildren; great-grandchildren; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. The memorial service for Ed will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 11, 2019, at Ofield Funeral Home, 4500 Kalamazoo Avenue SE, Kentwood, Michigan 49508. There will be a time of visitation one-hour prior to the service.



Service Information

Visitation
When: Thursday, July 11, 2019 10:00am - 11:00am
Location: Ofield Funeral Home
Address: 4500 Kalamazoo Avenue SEKentwood,MI 49508