Yancey Newman “Y.N.” Strait, Sr. of Streetman, Texas passed away on August 20, 2021 at the age of 71. He was born on March 2, 1950 to John Joseph “Jack” and Dorothy Louise “Dotsie” (Newman) Strait in Cotulla, Texas. Y.N. married Cynthia Ann Wooley on April 16, 1976 in Devine, Texas with whom he had two children, Yancey and Callie.
Y.N. was born to a ranching family that has spanned five generations. He graduated from Devine High School and Southwest Texas State University, magna cum laude. Y.N. started his career working for Devine Nuts, the family operated peanut processing business. Thereafter, he worked in agricultural finance for 27 years in Carrizo Springs and Uvalde until he retired in 2011. Y.N.’s passion always resided in his cattle operation, Strait Ranches, that he carried on after the passing of his grandfather, Y.C. Strait, in 1972. Y.N. was a revered cattleman, but above all he was a family man. Y.N. served on the Agricultural Advisory Committee for the Dimmit County Appraisal District, the Dimmit County Livestock Association and he was a District Director of the local Soil and Water Conservation District for over 30 years. He was also a longtime member at First United Methodist Church in Carrizo Springs, Texas.
He is survived by his wife, Cynthia Strait of Streetman, Texas; son, Yancey Strait, Jr. and wife, Heather of Prosper, Texas; daughter, Callie Loden and husband, Jake of Hockley, Texas; grandchildren, Avery Strait, Arden Strait, Piper Loden, and Penelope Loden; brothers, Mike Coyne and wife, Leah of Boerne, Texas, Greg Coyne and wife, Mindy of Hondo, Texas; sister, Cindy Woodland and husband, Sully of Bandera, Texas; and numerous other loving relatives and friends.
Y.N. was preceded in death by his parents, John Joseph “Jack” Strait and Dorothy Louise “Dotsie” and Frank M. “Chief” Coyne.
A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Friday, August 27, 2021 at First United Methodist Church, 201 N. Mount St., Fairfield, Texas 75840. For those wishing to attend, a graveside service will be held at a later date at the Big Wells Cemetery in Big Wells, Texas.
Memorial contributions may be made to National Santa Gertrudis Youth Foundation – Y.N. Strait Scholarship Fund, Santa Gertrudis Breeders International, P.O. Box 1257, Kingsville, Texas 78364.