John E. Strickland Jr.

John E. Strickland Jr. passed away on February 23, 2018, at the age of 90. He was born on December 4, 1927, in Wiggins, Mississippi, to John E. Strickland Sr. and Grace Vivian (Hatten) Strickland. He was the youngest of 10 brothers and sisters. At the age of 16 – with the help of a little fib by his uncle about his age – he enlisted in the Merchant Marines and sailed both US coasts during the final months of World War II. After being honorably discharged, he then enlisted in the Air Force for three years, honorably discharged as a sergeant. As did many of his generation, he then enlisted in the Army for three more years, including one year in Korea during that conflict. He was again honorably discharged as a master sergeant and was awarded a Bronze Star for his service in Korea. He joined the Texas National Guard in 1956, honorably discharged in 1965 as a platoon sergeant in the tank division.

In 1953, he and his wife Audrey and two small children moved to the Brazosport area where he began a 30 year career with Dow Chemical. Two more children were born in Freeport. He was active in Little League for many years. He retired in 1983 and later moved to the Madisonville area. He always had a bountiful vegetable garden wherever he lived. He once – by himself – built a two story house from the foundation up. He was a good and decent man, who led a good and decent life.

He was preceded in death in 2013 by Audrey (Switzer), his childhood sweetheart and spouse of 67 years, and over the years by his parents and all of his brothers and sisters. He is survived by daughters Sharon Stewart (Wayne) of Normangee and Robbye Prilop (Don) of Brazoria; sons Mike (Linda) of Austin and Randy of Brenham; nine grandchildren, eight great grandchildren, and one great great grandson.

He will be buried next to Mom in central Texas near the Macy Community. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Freeport Little League or St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Freeport or the charity of your choice. Condolences may be made at cozartfuneralhome.com.

The family expresses great appreciation to the Elmcroft Assisted Living Center in Lake Jackson, where he had lived for the last 4 years, to the Madisonville Care Center and to Texas Home Health Hospice.

We’ve lost another member of the Greatest Generation. Please cherish and honor the ones we still have with us.