Harold D. Strickler

Harold Strickler was born August 26, 1947 in Atlantic, Iowa. He was an only child of Maxine and Leo Strickler. At an early age his dad taught him how to hunt. It came in handy as there were many nights he hunted rabbit and squirrel to put dinner on the table. He joined the US Navy when he was 16. He wanted to see the world! Instead he was on the USS Lexington for 4 years in the middle of the ocean. On the ship he was a Shipfitter working on steam boilers that fueled the ship during the Vietnam Era. The USS Lexington was a Naval Aircraft Carrier and is now a retired ship that can be viewed in Corpus Christi, TX.

In the 70's he came to Denver with a friend to put up steel buildings. This is when he met Joelle in 1971. The Love of his life! They got married shortly after and had twin daughters Amber & Brianna. He went to trade school at the Local Union 208 to learn HVAC and Pipefitting. Then came Leo, their third child. He enjoyed hunting and fishing. He especially enjoyed bow hunting as he thought it was a real challenge. He would practice for hours and even brought home a trophy in a bow shooting competition. His children grew up eating his catches of elk, deer, pheasant, and trout. He even raised rabbits as some of you have had the pleasure to try when he would invite a guest for what they thought was grilled chicken or beef stew. He also enjoyed having a large garden and would always have fresh vegetables on hand.

In later years he enjoyed refinishing antiques in his garage also known as his man cave that he would spend hours in. He loved going fishing and camping with his son and buddy Leo.

He also loved his grandchildren. His eyes would light up when Darian, Miraya, Sarah, or John would walk up the driveway. He would invite them in the garage and spend hours entertaining them by making gadgets and jewelry with his nuts and bolts. The kids would always go home with a special treasure that they made with grandpa. He also enjoyed taking them on special surprise trips with grandma to enjoy what Colorado has to offer. He would keep them busy with target shooting BB and airsoft guns. The grandkids were never bored with Papa & Nana!

Everyone in the neighborhood knew Harold. His garage door was always open where he would receive many visitors throughout the day. He would always have his door open for those in need and was known to help a few people who would come by and ask for help. He also enjoyed helping out the churches food bank. Every week he would pickup food for delivery. He was very friendly and was always the first to make friends with the neighbors or someone new.

In closing this poem represents Harold and what he stood for:

Forget unkind words I have spoken

Remember some good I have done.

Forget that I ever had heart ache

And remember I've had loads of fun.

Forget that I stumbled and blundered

And sometimes fell by the way.

Remember I have fought some hard battles and won,

Ere the close of the day.

Then forget to grieve for my going, I would not have you sad for a day,

But in summer just gather some flowers and remember the place I lay.

And come in the evening when the sun paints the sky in the west,

stand for a few moments beside me and remember only my best.

Arrangements under the direction of Olinger Highland Mortuary & Cemetery, Thornton, CO.