Oct. 9, 1919 – Jan. 7, 2017
James Harold (Jim) Strickland was born Oct. 9, 1919, on their family farm in Cass County near Linden, Texas, to James and Arcadia Strickland.
Upon starting his working career, he worked at an airbase in Louisiana, and a CCC camp before being drafted into the Air Force. After completing his service in the Air Force, Jim came to Silsbee to work for Houston Natural Gas Co. in the early 1940’s. While in Silsbee he met the love of his life, Edith McKinney. After he and Edith were married, Jim went to work for Sun Oil Company. Throughout his career at Sun Oil, he worked in Sour Lake, Nederland, Liberty, Rio Grande City, Ingleside, and Victoria. The 1970’s brought retirement and he and Edith built a home on the Guadalupe River near Cuero, Texas. A few years later, they decided to move back to Silsbee to be closer to family – which was a blessing to all of us!
Jim was truly a “people person” who made friends wherever he went and never failed to show his wry sense of humor and quick wit. He was dedicated to his family and he, Edith and Don shared many enjoyable times vacationing around the states and Mexico.
For many years Jim was active in the masons. And over the last few years, his social activities included faithful participation in the McDonald’s “coffee club” in Silsbee, solving many of the world’s problems. He thrived on good conversation and would debate on any subject, however, political discussions were his favorite.
Jim is survived by sons, Leland Strickland of California, and Don Strickland of Silsbee, six grandchildren, brother Dewey Strickland of Houston, several in-laws and many nieces and nephews who loved him dearly and will always have fond memories of “Uncle Jim”.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Edith, and sister Opal Hays.
Thanks and appreciation to the loving staff at Silsbee Oaks, who adopted Jim as their own Paw-Paw and friend.
He will be greatly missed by all of us.
Graveside service for Jim will be 2:00 pm Sunday, January 8, 2017 at R S Farmer Memorial Cemetery in Silsbee under the direction of Farmer Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm Saturday at the funeral home.
