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Obituaries
- Dateline: December 30, 1951 - May 30, 2008
- Name: Ronald Brantley Strickland, 56
- Died: May 30, 2008, in Houston, Texas
- Ronald Brantley Strickland, 56, of Houston passed away Friday, May 30, 2008 at his residence in Houston. He was born December 30, 1951 in Center, Texas to Charles Doyce Strickland and Javel Legay Goings Strickland. Mr. Strickland worked in law enforcement for over 30 years. He was a lifetime member of the NRA and a member of the National Safari Association. Mr. Strickland was a member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church.
Visitation For Mr. Strickland will be held from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm, Monday, June 2, 2008 at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 pm, Tuesday, June 3, 2008 at Watson & sons Chapel in Center with Bro. Frank Holrath officiating. Interment will follow in the Holly Springs Cemetery in Shelby County.
Pallbearers for Mr. Strickland will be Shane Strickland, Slade Strickland, Larry Hinton, George Meisenheimer, Chuck Jones and Larry Inman. Honorary pallbearers will be Walt Baty and Charles Brady Hinton.
Survivors include:
Sister, Lou Ann Strickland Campbell and husband Robert of Willis
Nephews
Charles Shane Strickland and wife Leilani of Deweyville
Joel Slade Strickland and wife Tonya of Deweyville
Nieces
Gay Shannon Garcia and husband Roy of Port Arthur
Leslie Sherr Dunham and husband Joe of Buna
Grandnephews and Grandnieces
Shayna Slone, Shaymus Strickland, Jeremiah Spell, Josh Spell, Josie Dunham, Dakota Dunham, Bella Dunham, Whitney Marshall, Atalia Garcia, Rio Garcia, Tilman Brantley Strickland
Aunt, Daisy Mae Snyder of San Augustine
Numerous Cousins and Other Relatives
A Host of Very Close Friends
Preceded in death by
Parents, Charles Doyce Strickland and Javel Legay Goings Strickland
Brother, Charles Vernon Strickland
Memorials can be made to The American Heart Association or The American Cancer Society
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Regie Harris (1968)
The following story is Dedicated to Ron Strickland and was entered into a family book that is being published by the Harris family, "Memories of Mama". This story is true and I hope it will revitalize faith in those who have began to doubt in a greater power."Guided by Angels"
by Regie Harris
When I was a young boy, my Grandmother used to tell me "We must listen for the heralding of angels, for angels walk among us.".................
It was on a hot summer day in the 1990's. My business partner and I owned a small drive-in resturant in Hoodsport, Washington; it wasn't fancy, but the tourist returned each summer to enjoy the park-like setting.
One afternoon, while getting ready for the evening rush hour, I happened to glance out the window at the tavern across the street. A very tall, husky built man, wearing a white cowboy hat was holding the door open for a beautiful young woman, whom I assumed was his wife. I mentioned to my partner that the man look like a kid I had gone to school with when I was in high school.
Skeptic that my partner was, said, "Right! A guy you went to school with over twenty years ago, has traveled twenty-five hundred miles to our door! Not to mention, you recognized him after all this time!"
We both laughed and went on about our work. A few minutes later, the buzzer sounded at the window and I looked up to see the man standing outside. Again, I was struck with the erie feeling that he bore a striking resemblance to the boy I had once known.
I opened the window and began to take the man's order. I always ask for the persons first name, and called it out on the PA system when their order was ready.
When I ask for his name, he said, "Ron".
I couldn't help but give into my intuition and say, "Your last name is Strickland. You were raised in a small town in East Texas called Timpson. You were in the band and played a trumpet!"
The man's eyes widened in shock and he exclaimed,"What did I do wrong?"
I started to laugh and revealed who I was, and that it was a miracle that I had recognized him after all those years. It was such an event, that dinner was on the house and we closed up after we made their order so we could sit and visit.
The strangest story began to unfold as we sat at the outside table under the umbrella.
Ron and the young woman had taken the weekend off, when he had discovered that his "frequent flyer miles" were about to expire. Ron was a police officer in Houston, so they went to the Houston Airport and asked, "What's the next flight leaving?" He was told, "Seattle, Washington", so they took it. When they arrived in Seattle, they rented an auto and just started to follow their noses. They drove almost a hundred miles just enjoying the scenic highways of Washington State. As the dinner hour drew near, they found themselves on the Hood Canal, headed for Port Angles. When they arrived in the little town of Hoodsport, they saw a sign advertising "burgers" at the "Model T Tavern" across the street from my drive-in. As Ron opened the door to the tavern, his girlfriend told him, "Ron, this is a tavern! Let's eat across the street at that little place with the umbrella's."
They had flown over 2500 miles on an unplaned trip, driven almost a 100 miles and almost missed me by 80 feet!!! Not to mention, how many young kids can you recognize after 20 years of absence?
There was no way he could have found me, as I had changed my name in 1972!
As we sat talking, it became clear to me that there were more things at work than just "chance". I had the feeling that it was a message for me and that I must listen. I had not planned to return to Texas to visit but was thinking of sending my mother a round trip ticket to meet me in Hawaii, where I was intending to live. I knew it was a warning, and I had to return to Texas one last time before moving. It was the only time I had seen Ron since 1968, when I left home for Viet Nam and I never saw him alive again after that summer.
In late January, I planned a trip home and intended to visit with my Mom and then rent a car to return to East Texas to visit with my cousin (Nancy Franks)and old friends, then fly back home from Houston. Upon arrival, my Mother insisted that I take her car and see all my friends first and then come back to visit with her. I did as she ask and reversed all my plans.
While I was visiting my Mother on that trip, she had a massive heart attack and died. I was with her for over a week before she fell ill and was holding her hand only moments before her passing.
I will never know what I did to deserve one last chance to see my Mother but I shall alway believe with all my heart that Ron was an instrument of God's will, and was led by Angels to my door to deliver the message of my Mother's approaching demise.
For those who are weary of hardships this life has offered, have faith. He will reveal His presence to you in His own way.
Donna Amos (Harris) (1970)
Reggie, what a beautiful story.Glynis Ruth Ward (Ritter) (1972)
Regie, what a beautiful, touching story! God has given you many special gifts!Glynis Ward Ritter
Danny K. Crawford (1969)
Reggie, That was a Very heart warming and touching story. I had known about the chance meeting between you and Ronny. But I had no ideal on the rest of the story. I had just gotten back in touch with Ronny about two months before his passing. I will always remember seeing him again. You have a gifted way of putting words together.Linda Salser (Murphy) (1970)
Reggie, that is a beautiful story. Thank you for sharing it with all of us. I am so glad you followed your heart and got to spend the time with your mother.Linda Salser Murphy
Cecilia Wharton (Price Erlund) (1961)
Thank you for your story of an angel's visit. No doubt there are angels among us, and to be able to respond to their messages is a blessing. Most Sincerely, Cecilia Wharton Price Erlund '61