Cyclone Johnny "Cy" Strebeck

Graveside Service for Cyclone Johnny "Cy" Strebeck, 74, formerly of Sallisaw, will be at 10:00 AM on Monday, June 17, 2024 at Sallisaw City Cemetery in Sallisaw, Oklahoma under the direction of Agent Mallory Martin Funeral Service, Inc.

He was born on September 26, 1949 in Sallisaw, Oklahoma to Bessie (Reed) Strebeck and Johnny Ray Strebeck and passed away on June 12, 2024 in Norman, Oklahoma. He graduated Sallisaw High School in May of 1968 and joined the Army on May 31, 1968. Cy was a sergeant in the United States Army. He was enlisted for 2 years, 11 months and 25 days and received the National Defense Service Medal as Sharpshooter (rifle M-14), Expert @ (rifle M-16), Vietnam Service Medal: Combat Infantryman's Badge:, Vietnam Campaign Medal W/DVC60; 2 O/s Bars and Air Medal. Since he was a small framed young man, he was used as a mole to go underground into the dirt tunnels to invade the enemy. There is absolutely no telling what he had to see or physically do in order to survive in the Vietnam tunnels. What he endured would change ANYONE and he came back from Vietnam a different person.

Cy received his certification license as a horse shoe specialist. He had a love and passion for horses. He had two horses that he loved dearly named Star and Midnight. Cy also had an Australian Shepherd named Skarlet that was a great companion to him.

Cy did not receive VA benefits until later in his life, for he was unaware he was eligible. Before he received eligibility, he roamed the countryside hitchhiking and was picked up in New Mexico by a cowboy he had a lot of respect for and had heard about across the United States, Mr. Lane Frost and his wife, Kellie Kyle Frost. Cy would talk about his experience with Lane Frost and Kellie buying him a hamburger after they picked him up. Lane had gained a friend for life. 

Around 2010, Cy did not like the Sheriff in Sallisaw so he had 1000 business cards printed stating "Cyclone Strebeck for Sheriff of Sequoyah County", Mollie and Carla found them in his car when they began caring for him. He had been passing them out to everyone in Sallisaw. He definitely would have been a gunslinger Sheriff. 

In 2010, after a long battle with health issues, Cy went into the Tahlina Veterans Center with the help of State Representative John Bennett calling to get a bed for Cy when all the VA Centers were at full capacity. Cy had many friends there, everyone knew him as the cowboy and ladies man. He would try to take every beautiful CNA or nurse there on a date. He would say "Did it hurt when you fell from heaven?" to all the pretty girls.  He was loved by all. 

In November 2022, Cy moved to Normans Veteran Center to be closer to Mollie and Carla. Mollie, Carla and Cy were blessed to spend lots of time with him his last couple of years. A smile would light up his face, when Mollie or Carla would walk into the room. He loved his sister, Mollie and his "little hippie", Carla's nickname from Cy. He will be missed by everyone that knew him. 

Survivors are one sister, Mollie Strebeck of Oklahoma City, OK; one brother, Earl Ed Strebeck of Sallisaw, OK; three nieces, Debbie McKnight of Oklahoma City, OK, Carla Pence of Oklahoma City, OK and Melissa Loney of Wagoner, OK; and many more nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; four sisters, Esther Johnson, Jettie Faye Victory, Thelma Montgomery and Emma Kate Strebeck and three brothers, Raymond Victory, Truman Victory and Homer Strebeck.

Viewing will be noon - 5 pm Saturday and 2 - 8 pm Sunday at Agent Mallory Martin Funeral Home in Sallisaw.