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Gary Wayne Strickland, age 74, of Ponca City, died December 24, 2021, after a years-long struggle with Alzheimer's disease. A Celebration of Life Ceremony will be held at 2:00 PM, Monday, January 3, 2021, at St. John Lutheran Church, 1998 N. S Street, Ponca City, OK. Those unable to attend the Funeral Ceremony, may attend virtually on the Trout Funeral Home website, www.troutfuneralhome.com and click on the live-stream or toolbar icon on the top right corner after 1:45 PM. Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home & Crematory, 505 W. Grand Ave., Ponca City, OK 74601.
Gary was born at home, in rural Catron, MO, July 11, 1947, to Wesley Erwin and Ruby Aline (Stallings) Strickland. He grew up and was educated in Lilborn, MO, graduating with the class of 1965. He was always a hard worker, starting at age five, picking cotton alongside his mother. In high school, he welded picnic tables and BBQ grills for his Ag teacher. As a member of FFA, he was Star Chapter Farmer in 1965.
He was drafted shortly after his 18th birthday and completed basic training for the United States Army at Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo. He served 2 years at Ft. Hood, TX, as a mechanic and was a motor pool record keeper. He achieved the rank of SPC5 before his discharge in September of 1967. While in the Army, he came to Ponca City with LeRoy Cartwright and met Lilly Cartwright. They married on July 30, 1970 in Lilborn, MO, while in college. He attended NOC and later commuted to Oklahoma State University. He worked for Portor Post and Pole in Pleasant View. After graduation from Oklahoma State University, he worked for Don Bouldin Homes and also managed Bouldin Sod Farms.
As a member of the American Legion and the Vietnam Veterans of Ponca City, Gary was instrumental in getting the Vietnam Veterans Memorial built. He enjoyed fishing and when he was young, piloting small airplanes.
Gary was preceded in death by an older brother, Larry Strickland; his mother and father and his beloved dog, Zeus.
He is survived by his wife, Lilly, of the home; daughter, Regan Beatty and her husband, Brian, of Edmond, OK and his beloved grandchildren, Ryan Beatty, Gretchen Beatty and Betsy Beatty, all of Edmond, OK; sisters, Betty Cagle, of New Madrid, MO, Debby Townly, of Liborn, MO, and brother, Chuck Strickland, of Sikeston, MO.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. John Lutheran Church, 1998 N. S Street, Ponca City, OK 74601.
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