Mr. Robert Strand, better known as "Tinky" transitioned from Earth to Everlasting on Tuesday night, March 21, 2017 from Tulsa, Oklahoma.

June 12, 1951, a baby boy was born to Charlie (Booker) and Essie Strand in Muskogee, Oklahoma. This bundle of joy from God was very active and given the nickname "Tinky" from his father, in which he became well known by. He was the sixth child of seven children. Tinky attended Manual Training High and during integration he had to transfer and graduated from Muskogee High School in 1972.

Tinky grew up in Deans Addition in Muskogee. He accepted Christ as his personal Savior and was baptized at an early age at Deans Chapel Baptist Church. Tinky was raised by his older sister and brother-in-law (Charlene and Robert Coleman) along with his siblings after their mother Essies Strand passed.

"Tinky" was a generous, lively soul with a Big Heart. He enjoyed people and the youth of Deans Chapel Church. He was an active member of Deans Chapel Brotherhood. While living in Seattle, Washington he worked for one of the largest radio station 1250 KRIZ. He loved life and shared his love, laughter, and sweet spirit with all of his family and friends in Seattle. He cherished his time with family and friends abroad; he looked forward to talking with his siblings where he would often share all of his special memories with nieces, nephews and friends. Tinky left Seattle to join the USA Army and after his discharge, he moved back to Muskogee, Oklahoma. Tinky was a fun and loving person, he was the life of the party, could dance to no end, and liked to play to win at the casino.

Tinky met a beautiful young lady (Kimberly Michelle Reed) in which a handsome son was born by the name of Breon Lamont Reed, on December 4, 1984. Tinky and Breon had a great special father and son relationship, you could often find Breon cooking for his dad and hanging with him during their leisure time in Tulsa. Also, Tinky was very supportive of his son and siblings. Later years he and his son moved in with his niece, Pat. If you came to visit you would often find Tinky in the kitchen cooking. Tinky loved cooking during the holidays. His favorite was Thanksgiving. He would get up extremely early to prepare dinner for his son and niece. He would smoke the turkey, oven-bake the dressing, and do his special flavoring for the pork chitterlings and other sides.

Tinky looked forward to Sundays traveling from Tulsa with his cousin Darrell, to serve the Lord with his church family at Dean's Chapel and having Sunday dinners with his cousin Wynnetta Tollet- Jones. Lastly, you could often hear Tinky calling your name with his unique distinguished voice; you would definitely know that his presence was near.

Robert "Tinky" displayed a broad knowledge over a wide range of job skills while employed with: Superior Linen, Funsten Nut Company, Bennett- Lister Oldsmobile/ Cadillac Automotive, Yaffee Metal Company, Sam Bo's, Corning Glass, Lubby, Kay's Fine Food and Red Lobster's.

Tinky was preceded in death by both parents Charlie (Booker) and Essie Strand; sisters, Charlene, Evelyn and Gwen and two brothers-William (Willie) and David (Lee T.) Strand, nephew - Donald Coleman, and a special brother-in-law Robert Coleman.

In his final hour of rest, Tinky received his wings on March 21, 2017. He loved his family and neighbors that he grew up with on "Skid Row"/"Coody Creek," 20 ^th and S. Junction." Tinky leaves to cherish in his memory his son-Breon Reed, friend-Kimberly Reed, Brother-Sanford "Elroy" Strand, special nieces-Pat and Cheryl, nephews-Winfred (Bro), Charles, and Antonio Coleman, two sisters-in-law Donna and Paulette, his two "road-dogs" Darrell Love and Everett "Elb" Gardenhire, elderly special relatives-Ivalee Love and Frank Gardenhire, a caravan of nieces, nephews, cousin, relatives and friends who loved him dearly just to name a few: Mitchell Surrell, Lorna Mackey, Shy Willie and Craft Family and many more friends.

The Hour of Remembrance for "Tinky" will commence on Saturday, April 1, 2017 at 10:00 AM in the Dean's Chapel Baptist Church.  Reverend Don Dumas, Pastor, will officiate.

Burial will follow in the Booker T. Washington Cemetery in Muskogee.

You may visit Mr. Strand on Friday from 1:00 PM until 6:00 PM at the funeral home in Muskogee.