James A. (Jim) Strickland died October 13, 2015 at age 92 in Irving, Texas. He was born September 18, 1923 in Atkins, Arkansas to Leo and Bonnie Dell Hammock Strickland, both of Pioneer Arkansas Families. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Dorothy L. Winget Strickland; his daughter, Melinda Strickland Carroll; his son, David L Strickland and wife Linda of Round Rock; his son, Jimmy Strickland and wife Kathy of Irving; and by grandchildren, Tiffany Dickerson, Bass Stokes III, Hayley, Valerie, Morgan, Ben and McKenzie Strickland; great grandchildren, M.J. and Emerald Strickland, Jaxon and Tanner Casanova, and Shae Barker. Jim attended schools in Atkins and Appleton, Arkansas, graduated from Hector, Arkansas High School in 1941, immediately entered the Civilian Conservation Corps (C.C.C.) for a 3 month tour of duty, and then enrolled at Arkansas Tech in September 1941. He withdrew from Tech and volunteered into the U.S. Navy in February 1943 serving until January 1946 when he was discharged with the rank of Coxswain (BM3c). He was credited with 29 months of active sea duty in both the European-African-Middle Eastern and Asiatic-Pacific War Theatres. After WWII, he re-enrolled at Arkansas Tech, which was then a Jr. College until he completed his courses. He returned to the West Coast and joined the U.S. Merchant Marines Fleet until returning to school at the University of Tulsa (Oklahoma) in 1948, where he graduated in 1950 with a B.SC.BUS. MGT. He was employed by Phillips Petroleum Co Marketing Dept for 35 years and worked various marketing positions in Oklahoma and Texas until retirement in 1985 after which he worked for Harris Oil Co, Cleburne, Texas as a marketing consultant for 5 years. Jim was a 50 year member of Northgate United Methodist Church in Irving. Joining the church shortly after it was organized, he had served the church in many capacities from Sunday school teacher to administrative board chairman to chairman of the first building committee. He was active in youth sports activities at the Irving YMCA, coaching and helping to officiate baseball, football and basketball games. Later, he was a member of Southwest Basketball Official Association for 10 years, working high school and junior high school basketball games. He was an active outdoorsman, enjoying any and all activities outdoors, including hunting, fishing, camping and hiking with family and friends. He also enjoyed gardening. Inurnment will be at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery, 2000 Mountain Creek Parkway in Dallas at 12:30pm on Friday, October 23, 2015 with a Memorial service held at Northgate United Methodist Church, 3700 West Northgate Drive, Irving at 2:00pm on Friday October 23, 2015. Memorials in lieu of flowers, may be made to Northgate United Methodist Church.