Charles Harmon Strickland

Lt. Colonel (Ret.) Charles Harmon Strickland, US Air Force, of East Ridge, Tennessee, 93, died on Wednesday, May 30, 2018. Charles was predeceased by his loving wife of 65 years, Nancy Johnson Strickland.

Born February 25, 1925, he was the son of the late Bunyan David and Bessie Lee Griffin Strickland of Montgomery, Alabama.

A 1943 graduate of Sidney Lanier High School in Montgomery, Alabama, he graduated from Auburn University in 1948 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Building Construction and retired as Chief, Materials Branch, Purchasing from TVA where he worked for more than 38 years.

A member of Jones Memorial United Methodist Church, he served as an usher for many of the more than 60 years that he was a member. Charlie was a loving husband, father, and grandfather, faithfully loving and providing for his family and others.

Surviving are: one daughter, Carol Strickland of East Ridge; three sons, Charles Harmon “Chuck” Strickland Jr., (Debbie) of Bridgeport, Ala.; Dr. Robert David Strickland (Gerry) of Miami, Fla.; Donald Lee Strickland (Jenny) of Greer, S.C.; four grandchildren, Keith Maynard (April); Kathy Maynard Hartsfield (Greg); Nathanael (Monica) and Thomas Strickland; seven great-grandchildren, Katie Reed (Will); Abbie and Kimmie Maynard; Violet Hartsfield; and Daphne, Charlotte, Robert Strickland; as well as two sisters-in-law, Marilyn Johnson and Jane Strickland; in addition to numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. on Monday, June 4, at Chattanooga Funeral Home East Chapel, 404 South Moore Road and from 12 – 1 PM Tuesday at Jones Memorial United Methodist Church, 4131 Ringgold Road, East Ridge, TN.

The celebration of Charlie’s life will be on Tuesday, June 5, at 1 p.m. at Jones Memorial United Methodist Church. Pallbearers will be his grandsons and nephews, and honorary pallbearers will be the Fellowship Class of Jones Memorial, as well as Charlie’s devoted caregivers for the last few years: Chris Burks, Linda Harrison, and Mark Forgey.

The graveside service will be at the National Cemetery in Chattanooga.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Jones Memorial United Methodist Church, 4131 Ringgold Road, East Ridge, Tn. 37412; Big Oak Ranch, P.O. Box 507, Springville, Ala. 35146, (www.bigoak.org); or The Gideons International, P.O. Box 16041, Chattanooga, Tn. 37416, (www.gideons.org).

The family thanks Charlie’s many friends who prayed and performed deeds of kindness during his life, as well as his doctors, nurses, and healthcare providers. Finally, the family gives thanks to the Lord Jesus for the gift of Charlie’s life and for comforting them during their sorrow.