Johnny Strickland. Johnny died on March 31, 2023.
His obituary: John Thomas Strickland, December 12, 1943 – March 31, 2023. John Thomas Strickland, 79, heard the words from his Heavenly Father as he was called home to heaven on March 31, 2023: Well done, my good and faithful servant. John touched countless lives through his life of service, which included years in the ministry, following earlier career stints in the military (US Marine Corps) and law enforcement. Those seemingly contradictory roles are in keeping with John's personality and perspective as he exemplified unique dualities of gentleness yet remarkable strength, candidness of comments with genuine caring, advising with wisdom after observing with patience. Reverend John Strickland loved God, his family and friends, country and community–and served them all with humility, kindness, and generosity. John was born December 12, 1943, in Carrollton, Georgia, to the late Horace and Virginia Strickland. He was preceded in death by his older sister, Peggy, and is survived by his younger siblings, Tommy (Denise Hampton) Strickland of Acworth and Gayle (Gene) Tatum of Waleska, and nephew Kelly Tatum. The family's move in his childhood to Marietta changed the future direction of John's life in many ways, especially when he met the love of his life, Pat (Mitchell) Strickland in church as teenagers. They would marry April 17, 1965. The years of changes, challenges, miracles and moves by John and Pat are chronicled in a book Pat wrote, Shekinah Lane, to document for others the Lord's guidance and faithfulness throughout their 57 years of marriage. They were blessed by two sons and three grandchildren: Johnny Strickland of Blairsville and granddaughter Chalonda (Geoffrey McDonald) and grandson Cameron, and Tim (Shelley) Strickland of Eatonton and grandson Mitchell.
Many men beyond their two sons count John as a father figure. For nearly a decade, John and Pat were houseparents to 10 young men at Teen Ranch in Michigan, where their spiritual influence, love and discipline provided an exposure to family for troubled and abandoned youth to lifechanging effects.
John also counseled and ministered to countless individuals, couples, and families as a minister for many years. His Master's Degree in Education in the field of Guidance and Counseling from Delta State University shone through in the way he actively listened and shared useful and practical wisdom from the pulpit formally and in everyday conversation, as John knew no strangers but only friends. Georgia was John's place of birth and death, but his life entailed residencies with Pat in the states of North Carolina (where he also graduated from John Wesley College), Mississippi, and Michigan, with service at numerous churches, work as both a fireman and a police officer in Marietta, at Teen Ranch, and at Young Harris College. Since 1985, John and Pat resided in Blairsville and after formally retiring from the ministry after more than 37 years, John could enjoy being a member of the House of Prayer Church. In reality, John never retired from ministering to others, even to his final days. Whether it was on a plane, in a store, or even in the hospital, John's welcoming and gentle spirit and genuine interest in people resulted in complete strangers sharing their life stories and asking for prayer. In addition to an encouraging word or wise advice, John was generous in every sense throughout his lifetime in offering help of time and money. He did so quietly, humbly, anonymously. John loved a good Western movie, working with his hands (including building several houses), reading, politics (even holding office on the Union County Public School Board for several years) and playing golf and board games. He was quick–witted and just quick in every way–moving fast even despite physical obstacles. He loved being with people and had a hearty laugh. Family and friends will gather to celebrate the impact of his life on Sunday, April 16, 2023, visitation with family 11:30 am with service to follow at 12:30 pm at the House of Prayer Church in Blairsville, GA. A livestream of the service is being planned to allow the numerous people John impacted across many miles to pay their respects and gratitude for him. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any memorial contributions be directed to the Canal Lake Bible Camp or Mission Program at House of Prayer Church in Blairsville, Georgia. Much more about John's life can be found in Shekinah Lane: The Journey of John & Pat Strickland (Amazon). The indwelling glory of God, Shekinah, was indeed exemplified in John Thomas Strickland.
[Mountain View Funeral Home, Blairsville, Ga.]
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