Gary P. Strickler

Gary Pat Strickler, 59, of Stillwater, passed from this life on June 14, 2012 at his home. Services have been entrusted to Palmer Marler Funeral Home of Stillwater. Visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 20, 2012. Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. at the Hillcrest Baptist Church on Thursday, June 21, 2012. Burial will be at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, June 22, 2012 at the Rush Springs Cemetery.
Gary was born on June 4, 1953 in Sikeston, Missouri and adopted by loving parents A.C. Strickler and Virginia E. Strickler . He grew up as a military brat and lived in many places during his youth. He graduated from Hinesville High School in Georgia and then began attending Georgia Southern College where he played trumpet with the college band. It was here he met the sunshine of his life Jan McElveen who became his wife on January 12, 1974 in the parsonage of Elder Spencer Moore, a marriage of 38 years.
He worked at various locations in Oklahoma as an Emergency Medical Technician and Paramedic before settling in Stillwater. Gary was a police officer with the Stillwater Police Department until his retirement in 1999. He went by many names: son, husband, father, grandpa, and friend as well as diligent worker. Gary accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior at the age of 17. He served as a youth leader at Fellowship Primitive Baptist Church in Georgia, led adult Bible studies in Stillwater, and has been a member of Hillcrest Baptist Church in Stillwater for 27 years. He had compassion for unwed mothers, the poor, and the state of Israel. He regularly contributed to many Christian causes. He was a member of the Civil Air Patrol, a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association, and the Fraternal Order of Police. In his spare time he enjoyed going to the firing range, building aircraft models, reading, and watching the History Channel.
Gary is survived by his loving wife, Jan, a retired teacher; three children, Maj James Strickler USMC and wife Anita of Oceanside, CA, Melissa Skaggs and husband Matt of McKinney, TX, and John Strickler of Stillwater; grandchildren Lana Strickler, Linley Strickler, Karlie Skaggs, and Hunter Skaggs; mother in law; brothers-in-law; sisters-in-law; as well as a great many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
He is preceded in death by his father, Albert Carol A.C. Strickler, mother Virginia Evans Strickler, infant brother Paul Michael Strickler, paternal grandparents Benjamin and Susan Strickler, and maternal grandparents John and Ida Evans.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in memory of Gary to the Hillcrest Baptist Church Building Fund for the new gym or to the charity of your choice.