Elderly Tulsa Attack Victim, Bob Strait, Dies Friday

Friday, May 4th 2012, 1:20 pm

By: News On 6

Tulsa Police have confirmed to News On 6 that an elderly man, who with his wife was brutally beaten by intruders to his home in March, has died.

Bob Strait, 90, was critically injured in the March 13 assault, which took place in the 3300 block of East Virgin Street.

The couple were married 65 years before Nancy Strait, 85, died at a Tulsa hospital from wounds sustained in the beating.

3/14/2012 Related Story: Elderly Couple Found Badly Beaten In North Tulsa Home

Tulsa Police have named 20-year-old Tyrone Woodfork the principal suspect in the case. He was booked into the Tulsa County Jail and faces several charges, including first-degree murder for the death of Nancy Strait.

Police said in addition to being beaten, Nancy Strait had been sexually assaulted, and Bob Strait had wounds to his face from a BB gun.



TPD said the body of Bob Strait has been transferred to the medical examiner, who will determine an official cause of death. If it is determined his injuries played a part in his death, more charges could be added to Woodfork.

3/15/2012 Related Story: Female Victim In Home Invasion Dies At Tulsa Hospital; Police Name Suspect

Bob Strait's girls said they could feel his death coming.

"Before, when I would walk by his room taking laundry, he would wink at me and wave and I'd wave back," Strait's daughter Andra said.

Bob stayed in a room at Andra's after Nancy's death. When he woke up, he could see pictures of his beloved wife as well as get well wishes from his great grandkids.

They say he would look at the pictures of his wife of more than 60 years and tears would fill his eyes.

"It was torture to see him hurting, that's torture," Strait's daughter Lanora said. "Losing him is hard, but he's not hurting anymore."

They both believe Bob died as a direct result of being attacked and believe the man in custody should be charged with two murders.

"I believe Daddy would still be with us if he hadn't killed mom," Andra said. "He broke daddy's jaw so he couldn't eat, broke his ribs so he couldn't get up and move around. We did get him up to watch the Braves game, but he even lost that joy."

They hate their mother's last moments on earth were filled with terror and their father's with sorrow but take comfort in the memories and legacy the couple leaves behind.

Nancy was known for her gracious hospitality, homemade jams and quilts. Bob was known for his woodworking talents, making airplanes and cabinets for his kids and grandkids.

"He's asleep," Andra said. "No more pain, no more sorrow for his part. It's what he wanted. He wanted to be where mom was and he'll be buried with mama."

3/16/2012 Related Story: Family Of Tulsa Couple Beaten In Home Invasion: 'They'd Do Anything For Anyone'

Bob Strait was a paratrooper in World War II. He was with the historic 101st Airborne Division, where he was part of the D-Day invasion. He was awarded the Bronze Star.

Nancy Strait grew up in a log cabin in Kenwood, Oklahoma, with no running water. She moved to Tulsa to work during the war, and when the war ended, she met Bob.

Three weeks later they were married: Friday the 13th in 1946.

A fund has been set up for the Straits. You can donate at any Arvest branch. It will remain open through June. The family wanted to thank everyone for their tremendous show of support.