Country music legend George Strait is one of the most beloved and popular performers in the genre’s history, having sold over 100 million records and amassed countless awards over the course of his career. However, as famous and successful as George Strait is, he is also known for suffering a terrible tragedy in his personal life – the loss of his daughter, Jenifer Strait, in a tragic car accident. In this blog post, we will examine the events surrounding Jenifer Strait’s death, the impact it had on her family and the country music community, and the legacy she left behind.
The Accident
Jenifer Strait was born on October 6, 1972, to George Strait and his wife, Norma. She was the Strait’s only child and was beloved by her parents and the tight-knit country music community in which they lived. On June 25, 1986, tragedy struck when Jenifer, who was just 13 years old at the time, was killed in a car accident.
According to reports from the time, Jenifer was riding with some friends in a pickup truck that was driven by Gregory Wilson Allen. Allen was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident, and he lost control of the vehicle, causing it to veer off the road and flip over. Jenifer Strait was sitting in the middle of the front seat at the time of the crash, and she was partially ejected from the vehicle during the collision. Tragically, she died at the scene from her injuries. None of the passengers in the vehicle were wearing seat belts.
Allen was charged with vehicular homicide in connection with Jenifer’s death, and in 1987, he was sentenced to 15 years in prison. However, he was released after serving just three years, which has been a point of controversy ever since.
The Aftermath
The loss of their daughter was devastating for George Strait and his wife, and it had a profound impact on their personal and professional lives. George Strait was known to be close to his daughter, and her death left him shattered. He later said that he went through a period of deep depression and considered quitting music altogether. However, he eventually found solace in his faith and his music, and went on to become even more successful than before.
In the years since Jenifer’s death, George Strait and his wife have worked to honor her memory and keep her spirit alive. They established the Jenifer Lynn Strait Foundation, which provides college scholarships to deserving students from their hometown of Pearsall, Texas. They have also spoken openly about their daughter’s life and legacy, both in interviews and in George’s music. Several of his songs, including “Baby Blue” and “You Can’t Make a Heart Love Somebody,” were written as tributes to Jenifer and the pain her loss caused.
The Legacy
Despite her tragically short life, Jenifer Strait left a lasting legacy on her family and the country music community. Her death was a wake-up call about the dangers of drunk driving, and it spurred many artists to become involved in anti-drunk driving campaigns. Her father, in particular, became a vocal advocate for the cause and has appeared in several public service announcements urging people not to drink and drive.
Moreover, Jenifer’s spirit continues to inspire others through the work of the foundation established in her name. The foundation has helped countless students pursue their dreams of higher education and has served as a testament to the power of a community to come together in the face of tragedy.
Conclusion
The death of Jenifer Strait was a terrible tragedy that shook her family and the country music community to its core. However, in the years since her passing, her legacy has endured. Her story serves as a reminder of the dangers of drunk driving and the importance of cherishing the time we have with the people we love. And her memory continues to live on through the foundation established in her name, which serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration to others.
FAQ
Did George Strait write a song about his daughter?
George Strait is a legendary country music singer and songwriter who has been in the music industry for over four decades. He has released numerous chart-topping hits and is regarded as one of the most successful and influential country music artists of all time.
George Strait is famously private about his personal life, but it is widely believed that he wrote a song about his daughter, Jenifer Strait, who tragically passed away at the age of 13 in a car accident. The song in question is “You Can’t Make a Heart Love Somebody,” which was released in 1994 on his album “Lead On.”
The lyrics of the song are poignant and heartbreaking, with lines such as “You can’t make a heart love somebody / You can tell it what to do / But it won’t listen at all / You can’t make a heart love somebody / You can lead a heart to love / But you can’t make it fall.” These lyrics suggest a sense of loss and emotional pain that many fans believe was inspired by the death of his daughter.
However, Strait has never officially confirmed that the song was written about his daughter. In a 2018 interview with Dan Rather, he stated that he doesn’t like to talk about his personal life in public and prefers to keep it private. This means that we can never be 100% sure whether or not “You Can’t Make a Heart Love Somebody” was written in memory of his late daughter.
Nevertheless, the song’s emotional impact and universal themes of love and loss have resonated with fans all over the world. It is a testament to Strait’s skill as a songwriter and his ability to connect with his audience on a deep and emotional level. And even if he never confirms that the song is about his daughter, it will always be a powerful and moving tribute to those we have loved and lost.
Where is Jennifer Strait buried?
Jennifer Strait, daughter of the world-renowned country singer George Strait, was tragically killed in a car accident at the young age of thirteen. After her passing, a funeral was held at the First United Methodist Church in San Marcos, Texas, for friends and family to pay their respects. The service was followed by her burial in her hometown of Pearsall, Texas. The funeral arrangements were all arranged in hasty succession, as the family wanted to ensure they were able to give Jennifer a proper goodbye. She was laid to rest in a peaceful and serene location, surrounded by family and loved ones. To this day, people still come to visit her gravesite as a way to keep her memory alive.
Who was the song Baby Blue written about?
The song “Baby Blue” was written by Badfinger in 1971 and was included in their album “Straight Up.” The song tells the story of a man who is leaving behind a love interest and heading for a new start. While the lyrics suggest a sense of sadness, disappointment, and angst, the underlying message is that the protagonist has no choice but to move on from the past relationship.
The inspiration for this song came from the lead singer, Pete Ham’s real-life experience with his ex-girlfriend Dixie Armstrong. Armstrong was the one who inspired Ham to write the song. In an interview, Ham stated that even though he and Dixie had broken up, he still had strong feelings for her.
After the song’s release, it became a chart-topping hit, reaching number 14 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. This song was the last Top 20 hit in Badfinger’s career. Unfortunately, Pete Ham didn’t get to experience the full success of the song as he passed away in 1975, from an apparent suicide. The song still remains popular among fans, and many people continue to relate to the lyrics and the message behind it.
“Baby Blue” was written about Pete Ham’s ex-girlfriend Dixie Armstrong. The song became a hit and still remains popular, even years after its release. The song’s lyrics and message convey the story of a man who is leaving behind a past relationship and moving on to a new chapter in his life.
How many children did George Strait and his wife have?
George Strait, the legendary country singer, was married to his high school sweetheart, Norma Voss, for over 47 years until her death in 2018. The couple had two children together: a daughter named Jenifer, who was born in 1972, and a son, George Jr., who was born in 1981. George and Norma were devoted parents and were often seen together with their children at awards shows and special events.
Tragically, their daughter Jenifer died in a car accident at the age of 13, on June 25, 1986. This was a devastating loss for the Strait family and it deeply impacted George and Norma. In interviews, George has spoken of the pain and grief of losing a child, and how he and his family leaned on their faith and each other to get through this difficult time.
After Jenifer’s death, the Strait family kept a low profile and focused on their healing and their son, George Jr. Today, George Jr. is a successful businessman and often accompanies his father on tour and at special events. In a 2017 interview, George spoke fondly of his son and how proud he is of his accomplishments.
George Strait and his wife, Norma, had two children together – Jenifer and George Jr. – and were devoted parents. While they experienced the tragedy of losing their daughter at a young age, they continued to prioritize their family and each other, and remain a tight-knit family unit to this day.
