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Larry Alan Strain
March 12, 2026
Larry Alan Strain, age 67, passed away on March 7, 2026. He was born in Toledo, Ohio, on December 19, 1958 to Richard Lee Strain and Eva Mae Sharp Strain. Larry attended Freedom High School in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and later continued his education towards many academic and professional achievements:
- B.S. Commerce, McIntire School of Commerce, University of Virginia, 1981
- Master of Business Administration, Lehigh University, 1988
- Certified Business Analyst, Florida Small Business Development Center Network, 1998-present. Renewed in 2001, 2004, 2007, 2010, 2013.
- Certified Examiner, Strategic Management Assessment Review Tool, Missouri Small Business Development Centers
- Graduate, Leadership Santa Rosa Class 25, December 2011
Larry enjoyed golfing, cooking with his son Rusty, and sports–especially fantasy football with the family, family dinners, and holiday celebrations. He loved his grandchildren, Elias and Landon, and the family pets Tucker, Sadie, Maple, and Sassy, and his many friends and associates. Larry loved being a part of A RustycSpoon and its core values, and being a part of the community, with many affiliations:
- Board of Directors, Santa Rosa County Chamber of Commerce, 2005-present, Chair, 2008, 2010, Board Member Emeritus 2017-present
- Board of Directors, United Way of Santa Rosa County, 2010-2017, Chairman 2016-2017
- Board of Directors, CareerSource EscaRosa, 2013-2017, Chairman 2016-2017
- Board of Trustees, Rebuild Northwest Florida, 2012-present
- Board of Directors, Bay Area Food Bank/Feeding the Gulf Coast, 2015-present
- Policy Board, Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, 2008-present
- Chair, Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship Selection Committee, 2008-present
- Board of Directors, Consumer Credit Counseling Services of West Florida, Inc., 2005-2015, Chair 2015
- Board, Escambia County Enterprise Zone Development Agency, 2007-2015, Chair 2009-2010
- Board of Directors, Community Enterprise Investments, Inc., (CEII) 2005-2009, 2013-2016
His many awards and recognitions include:
- 2012 Pace Award, Greater Pensacola Chamber, Professional Leader of the Year
- 2011 Association of Small Business Development Centers, Florida State Star
- 2011 Florida Small Business Development Center Network, State Star
- 2011 Florida Small Business Development Center Network, Certified Business Analyst Impact Award
- 2011 Florida Small Business Development Center Network, Regional Impact Award
- 2011 Florida Small Business Development Center Network, Regional Certified Business Analyst of the Year
- 2010 Santa Rosa County Chamber of Commerce, Fred Hunter Spirit of Santa Rosa Award
- 2007 Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce, Outstanding Service to Entrepreneurs Award
- 2006 Florida First Capital Finance Corporation, Florida Community Builder of the Year Award
- 2006 TEAM Santa Rosa Economic Development Corporation, Industry Appreciation Week Partner Award
- 2006 University of West Florida, Million Dollar Research Club
Larry was preceded in death by his father, Richard L. Strain of Easton, Pennsylvania.
He is survived by his mother, Eva M. Strain of Easton, Pennsylvania; his wife, Sue Strain of Cantonment, Florida; his daughter, Stephanie Spar of Pensacola, Florida; his son Rusty (Kaitlyn) Strain of Pace, Florida; his grandsons, Elias M. Cintron and Landon G. Strain of Pensacola, Florida; and his brothers, Timothy Strain of Easton, Pennsylvania, and David Strain of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
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