Viewing & visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 5, 2023 from 4-8 PM and Thursday, July 6, 2023 from 4-8 PM at the funeral home. On Thursday the family will be present to greet friends from 5-7 PM. Services to honor & celebrate his life will be held on Friday, July 7, 2023 at 10 AM at Newcastle Christian Church with interment will follow at the Czechoslovakian National Cemetery.

Vernon Ray Straka, 89, passed away July 4, 2023 with his family by his side. He was born on November 1, 1933 in Oklahoma City to his parents Joe and Cecilia (Sudik) Straka. Vernon married the love of his life June (Collier) Straka and together shared 53 years of marriage. Vernon graduated from Moore High School in 1951, where he lettered in baseball and active in FFA where he received his American Farmer degree. Vernon was proud of his Czechoslovakian heritage and met his wife while at a Saturday night dance at Czech Hall. He farmed and raised his family on the land where he grew up. He continued to touch many lives through FFA, 4-H, and the National Swine Registry. Another one of his passion for many years was raising Hampshire hogs and loved talking hogs and farming with everyone he met. He was so supportive of his grandsons, he would watch three play baseball and turn around and go watch his other two show cattle. He was always ready to lend a hand by jumping on a tractor or combine. He was an avid bowler and had so many friends in sports and agriculture. His words of wisdom and his kindness were felt by everyone around him. Vernon was preceded in death by his parents, Joe J. and Cecilia Straka; sister Elizabeth Ann Straka and wife June Straka. He is survived by his children: Jerry Straka and Donna Downard; Jana Morris and husband Jeff; Joanna Bohrofen and husband Brent; sister Frieda Miskovsky and husband Jim; grandchildren, Ryann Richey, Tyler Morris and wife Talor, Cort Morris, Braxton Bohrofen, and Jace Bohrofen; great grandson Caleb Richey and one on the way; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.