Dennis Stratton

Dennis Lee Stratton was born to Monty "Gander" Franklin Pierce Stratton Sr. (1912 - 1982) and Ethel Ester (Milberger) Stratton (1916 - 2006). His father was born in Texas and his mother was born in Kansas. He had one brother: Monty F Stratton Jr (1937 - 2012). Father Monty was a pitcher for the Chicago White Sox who lost a leg in a hunting accident, having shot himself in the leg. A popular movie about his courageous struggle to return to professional baseball, starring Jimmy Stewart and June Allyson, was made in 1949. The movie received an Academy Award. Dennis Stratton married Jean Johnson on December 10, 1960, in Greenville, Hunt County, Texas. They had two daughters. Dennis was found dead in the kitchen of his home by his wife, Jean. There was a 12 gauge shotgun lying beside him. A comprehensive investigation ensued, most probably because of the fame of his father, Monty. A judge ruled Dennis' death a suicide. On his death certificate, his death was described as being due to "careless handling of a gun." It was a "self-inflicted, accidentally, gunshot wound." For a full contemporaneous explanation of the investigation into Dennis' death, read Gunshot Wound Accidental, Ruling States. Ironically, Dennis' father, Monty Stratton, a major league baseball pitcher, had lost his leg in a hunting accident (shooting) in the 1930's. You can read more about his father and his fascinating life here: Monty "Gander" Franklin Pierce Stratton Sr.. Dennis is buried in Memoryland Memorial Park in Greenville, Hunt County, Texas