Judson W. “Judd” Strader died Jan. 8, 2024. He was born March 17,
1939, in Charles Town, W.Va. to Lorenzo Dow Strader and Olivia Ann Swift
Strader. Judd spent most of his early life moving throughout the central
and eastern United States while his father worked for the American Red
Cross.
Judd went to 12 different schools before he graduated from Versailles
High School in Versailles, Ky. While in high school in Virginia, he
played drums in the Mount Vernon band. In Versailles, he lettered in
football, basketball and baseball, was active in the Drama Club, and was
selected to the National Beta Club, a scholastic achievement
organization. He was also active in sports and drama in college.
He attended Blackburn College in Carlinville, Ill. where he lettered in
basketball. Judd graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from
Georgetown College in Georgetown, Ky.
Judd went to West Virginia to teach and coach at the Beverly School in
Beverly, W.Va., his father’s family hometown. When the school there
closed, Judd moved to San Antonio where he taught science in the SAISD
for 33 years; many students have fond memories of Mr. Strader’s classes.
Judd enjoyed fishing, hunting, bowling, working crossword puzzles and
reading. He was a charter member of S.T.A.G.E., Inc. of Bulverde where
he served on the board of directors, acted in and directed many live
theater plays.
Judd is survived by his wife, Gwen, and two daughters, Wendy and Juddi.
He is also survived by a brother, L. Dow Strader, Jr. and wife Johnnie,
his sister Margaret Ann Henshaw and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
All meant a lot to him through the years.
The family will receive friends on Thursday, Feb. 1 at 11 a.m. with the
memorial service to follow at noon in the Porter Loring Chapel, with
procession to Holy Cross interment around 1:15 p.m. Judd’s cremains will
be divided and interred in the Holy Cross Cemetery Mausoleum in San
Antonio to be with his wife and in the Beverly, West Virginia Cemetery
near his ancestral home.
Those desiring may make memorial contributions to one of the following:
Last Chance Forever Bird Of Prey Conservancy, San Antonio, Texas; The
American Red Cross; or The American Cancer Society.
You are invited to sign the Guestbook at