Frank Allan Strickland

He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He will be remembered for his faith, his love for his wife, Della, and for his beautiful roses.

Born on January 14, 1931, Frank was raised in Manchester, CT, graduated from high school in 1949, and joined the United States Air Force in 1951. He worked in the Connecticut tobacco fields as a teen and later became an aviation cadet stationed at Travis and March Air Force Bases. In 1954 Frank began working for the County of San Bernardino, first as a survey party rear chainman then as a project engineer on bridge construction. Before retiring in 1985, he worked for 4 years as the Utilities Coordinator for all county projects.

Frank was married for nearly 54 years to Della Mae Hart Hall. Together they raised 4 children. Frank was a member of Del Rosa United Methodist Church for 54 years where he served as Sunday School Teacher, Youth Director, UMM President and on many committees. As a member of the Inland Valley Rose Society, he became a Consulting Rosarian. During this time, he also began propagating roses in his backyard. While many of his roses have won awards, “Saint Patrick”, a yellow rose, achieved the All American Rose Selections Gold Medal in 1996 and is grown all over the world.

Frank is survived by his wife of 54 years, Della Strickland, his sister, Joan Strickland Johnson, stepchildren, Steve Hall and Malaine Hall-Plymesser, and his daughter, Kathleen Diane Strickland. He was preceded in death by his parents, Calvin Fuller Strickland and Doris Wilson Hall, and by his son, Michael Clayton Strickland. He was blessed with 4 granddaughters and 1 great-grandson.

A “Celebration of Life Service” will be held at Del Rosa United Methodist Church, 3350 Del Rosa Avenue, San Bernardino, on February 21, 2015 at 1 PM. Donations in Frank’s honor can be made to Del Rosa United Methodist Church. Flowers and condolences may be delivered to the church between the hours of 10 and 11 AM on Saturday, February 21, 2015.