According to a widely retold story by Megan Cassidy in the Casper Star-Tribune Strang had pined for a Harley-Davidson for 44 years. He was married at 21 in Sacramento and thereafter his wife had vetoed the idea of buying a Harley whenever Strang brought it up.
He finally got what he wanted late last month. He spotted his dream bike, a black Dyna, at a Strokers franchise in Landers, about 145 miles from his home. According to the Star-Tribune he told his wife “It’s on my bucket list.” The two of them drove to Landers and he bought the bike. Before he fired it up, he posted a picture of his new motorcycle on his Facebook page with the caption “44 years finally got one.”
His first and last motorcycle ride lasted three miles. He collided with a tractor-trailer driven by Jack E. Kincaid two miles north of Lander on Wyoming Highway 789. The truck is owned by Bonneville Transloaders Inc. According to the Wyoming Highway Patrol, “Both vehicles were in the process of negotiating a right-hand curve in the roadway when for unknown reasons, Strang’s motorcycle turned to the right,” The Dyna collided “with the drive axles of Kincaid’s truck tractor.” Strang fell off the bike, “went under” the truck and died instantly from blunt force trauma.
Barry Nelson Strang is survived by his wife Pam, a 21-year-old son named Justin and a 17-year-old daughter named Morgan. Services for Barry Nelson Strang were held July 18, 2013 at the Bar Nunn Baptist Church near Casper and were followed by a wake at the Black Gold Grille. He was 59.
Do not go gentle into that good night, Old age should burn and rave at close of day; Rage, rage against the dying of the light. Barry Strang burned out. He didn’t fade away.
Requiscant In Pace.
