Virgil Homer Strebeck was born on September 9th, 1937, to Johnny & Flo Strebeck in Sallisaw, Oklahoma. He passed away April 5th, 2020 in Bakersfield, California at the age of 82 years old. Virgil grew up in Oklahoma on his Grandpa's farm. He had 6 siblings: Harold, Emma Kate, Earl Ed, Cy, Molly and Gary. He served in the United States Army and the United States Army Reserves, he was honorably discharged in 1962 (after breaking his back riding a bull, while home on leave), he loved Rodeos. He had some great stories from his time served in the Army. Some of the most memorable were the he got to guard President Eisenhower and meet Queen Elizabeth and he even got to shake her hand. While stationed in Germany, (where he spent his Army Career after training) He was a Military Police Officer and he arrested Elvis Presley (as he served in the Army during the same time). In 1963, Virgil moved to Bakersfield, California where he became a truck driver and worked in bars owned and operated by his family. You couldn't take a ride down Edison Hwy with Grandpa, without him pointing out all the old bar locations and telling you a story or 5 about the Lucky Spot (were he met his wife Fran) and the other bars in the area. He married his wife Frances Rousey on May 24th, 1975, they would've celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary next month. Virgil had 2 sons Darrell (wife Vicky) and Virgil Dale (wife Leigh). Sadly, his son Virgil Dale passed away just 3 days before him (April 2nd, 2020). He also had 3 daughters, Kathy Breland (husband David), Melinda Poff (husband Bob) and Tammy Anderson (husband Michael). Virgil had 19 grandkids, 44 great grandkids and 7 great-great grandkids (and 2 on the way). Grandpa loved to go to Clarks Coffee Shop to visit with his old driving buddies, friends and anyone that would listen to him talk. He always had a driving story, Army story or a cheesy joke. He was going to tell you about his grandkids rather you cared to hear or not, with pictures of course as he always had a wallet full of pictures of his kids and grandkids. His greatest joy was spending time with his Kids and Grandkids. We all remember his old stories and jokes, "I'd stretch but it's too far to walk back". Without argument we'd all agree on missing his smell, Swisher Sweet Cigars mixed with Old Spice. Oh, what I would do to smell that again with a hug against his soft cheek, as he was always clean shaven. Grandpa was always working in his yard and took great pride in his fruit trees and rose bushes. Boy oh boy did He love sweets: cookies, cakes and ice cream. Some of his grandkids favorite memories were climbing up in his Big Rig, honking that horn, and the excitement of getting to go on a ride or run with him (which we were rarely denied). I don't remember ever hearing "No" from Grandpa until his last days when you tried to give him his medicine. As Grandpa got older and retired his love for Big Rigs didn't end, He loved going for rides in Big Rigs and Tow Trucks. He also loved going to the Bakersfield Speedway to watch his grandkids race, more bragging rights. There's no doubt he was loved and will be deeply missed. His last few days were spent at home with his wife, kids and grandkids. He loved visitors. We'd hear "Hey HotRod" or "Oh what is it" as we walked up, as he was usually sitting on the front porch (and he always reminded us girls that we'd gained a few pounds, as if we didn't already know). Virgil will be laid to rest on Monday April 13th, 2020 at 10am at Bakersfield National Cemetery. A special thanks to Rick at Peters Funeral Home, Sylvia Balkam for helping care for Virgil and Fran, and huge thanks to Kathy Breland for always staying close and available 24/7 for her parents.