George Strait, the king of country music, has faced many tragedies in his life. One of them was the unexpected death of his older brother, John “Buddy” Strait, in 2009. Buddy Strait was found dead in a San Antonio hotel room on April 10, 2009, at the age of 58. He was in town on business and his body was discovered by a cleaning crew. What was the cause of death for Buddy Strait and how did his family cope with the loss?
The Autopsy Report
According to the Bexar County Medical Examiner, Buddy Strait’s death was ruled accidental. The report said that he died from “methadone toxicity and heart disease”. Methadone is a narcotic pain reliever that is used for various purposes, including withdrawal treatment from narcotics such as heroin. It is not clear why Buddy Strait was taking methadone or if he had a prescription for it. The report also said that he had a history of hypertension and coronary artery disease, which could have contributed to his death.
The Family’s Reaction
George Strait and his family live near San Antonio and they were shocked and saddened by the news of Buddy Strait’s death. George Strait did not make any public statement about his brother’s death, but he canceled some of his concerts and appearances to mourn with his family. Buddy Strait was the oldest of three siblings, including George and his sister, Pency. He was also survived by his wife, Tammy, and his two children, John and Jennifer.
The Legacy of Buddy Strait
Buddy Strait was not as famous as his brother, but he had a passion for music and was a talented songwriter. He co-wrote some of George Strait’s songs, such as “Living for the Night” and “Arkansas Dave”. He also wrote songs for other artists, such as Aaron Tippin and Clay Walker. He was a member of the Nashville Songwriters Association International and the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. He was also a businessman and owned a company called Strait Music, which provided music publishing and licensing services.
Buddy Strait’s death was a tragic loss for his family and friends, as well as the country music community. He will always be remembered as a loving brother, a devoted husband, a proud father, and a talented songwriter. He left behind a legacy of music that will live on in the hearts of his fans.
