John "Jeff" Strayer Jr.

John “ Jeff “ Frank Strayer, Jr.

John “Jeff ” Strayer Jr., 89, of North Canton, passed away peacefully on March 24, 2026. Jeff was born in Canton, Ohio, to the late Margaret Quinn Strayer and John Frank Strayer, and spent the great majority of his life living, working, and serving his community in Canton. He dearly loved his two younger sisters, Mimi and Katie, and he had so many wonderful memories of their childhood in Canton and summers in Canada. Culver Military Academy was an important place for Jeff as a young man, and his summers spent there sailing and playing tennis were very special. He was a proud graduate of Canton McKinley High School and went on to graduate from Dartmouth College, where he majored in sociology and was a member of the AD Fraternity. While attending Dartmouth he was active in ROTC and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the US Army. After graduation he served as a courier at the Pentagon, ultimately earning the rank of Captain. It was in DC that he met and fell in love with Sally Clayton Wheeler. They married soon after and began their life together. Jeff was a most social person, always cheerful and ready with a kind word or a few minutes of lively, genuine conversation. He loved meeting, talking, and being with people of all kinds. These characteristics served him well in his career in the Army as well as in the fields of real estate, sales, and marketing. Jeff returned home to Canton in 1962, working with his father at Strayer and Strouse Realty. It was in Canton that his two children, Carrie and Leslie, were born. Jeff then took a sales position with Fisher Price Toys, moving with Sally and the girls to Wellesley, MA. Taking classes at night he earned his MBA with Distinction from Babson University; this was an accomplishment of which he was extremely proud. Jeff loved squash and tennis, and spent many hours playing with friends while living in Wellesley. His job with Fisher Price took him to East Aurora, NY, a place he and Sally loved. Fulfilling a dream, he started his own business, founding the Strayer Incentive Group and moving the family back to North Canton, Ohio, where he based his company.

Jeff made many friends in his lifetime, from childhood in Canton; college in NH; and travel for work. He cherished his constant group of friends, especially those in the Woodchoppers, his Friday Bender’s lunch group, and his regular poker group, many of whom had been friends for over 60 years. His yearly trips with his fishing buddies to Georgian Bay were great memories. He loved traveling with Sally and they visited many places across the globe. Jeff was a prolific reader and had a photographic memory, so he was always the best Trivial Pursuit partner and crossword solver.

Jeff was a strong believer in service to his community and his many volunteer positions included serving as President of Arts Unlimited, The Canton Club, Canton Museum of Art, Auburn Knolls Condo Assn, Woodchoppers, IMRA (trade assn.) and serving as a Board member of Aultman Health Foundation, Canton Museum of Art (Collection Committee) and Ohio Citizens for the Arts. The Canton Museum of Art was a meaningful place for Jeff and he fondly remembered the events and requisitions he was a part of during his tenure there. United Way was also very important to Jeff and he valued the time he spent volunteering for the organization and raising funds to help the community.

While living in Boston, Jeff and Sally made a decision that would change their life, buying a small, beautiful cottage on Squirrel Island, Maine. It required much work over the years, but Jeff loved that about the cottage,and always called it his best investment. Maine, the cottage, the island, and most of all the memories created there with Sally, his friends, his children, and grandchildren were what mattered to him most. A perfect day might include reading on the porch, playing tennis, going fishing, or joining an evening poker group.

Jeff is predeceased by his sister Marion Strayer Vitagliano and his parents John and Margaret Strayer. Jeff is survived by his wife Sally, his daughters Leslie Strayer Jacob (Jerry) and Carrie Strayer Sibila (Doug), his sister Kathryn Strayer Scott, and grandchildren Josephine Jewel Jacob, Kathryn Strayer Sibila and Helen Margaret Sibila, along with many loved nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind his loving cat Peggy.

Friends are invited to visit on April 11, from 11:00 to 1:00 at Arnold Funeral Home, 1517 Market Ave N, Canton, Ohio, 44714. Memorial contributions may be made in Jeff’s memory to the Canton Museum of Art, 1001 Market Ave N, Canton, OH 44702 or to the Squirrel Island Preservation Foundation (Nina Garrison, Treasurer, 3 Clacton Way South Portland, ME 04106). Venmo: @SIPF04570