James Allen Strickland, age sixty-five, of West Plains, Mo. died at 2:03 a.m., Thursday, February 28, 2002 at his home near West Plains. Mr. Strickland was born November 16, 1936 at Leota, Mo. the son of the late Emlis Clayton �Mike� and Grace Opal Brown Strickland. On July 17, 1956, he was married at West Plains, Mo. to Virginia Wake.
Mr. Strickland loved bluegrass music and coon hunting. He is survived by his wife, Virginia Strickland, of the family home; three children, Alan Strickland and wife, Evanel, West Plains, Mo., Sheila Kroh, Caulfield, Mo. and Teresa Edwards and husband, Eddie Joe, Carterville, Mo.; a special son, Richard Wake, West Plains, Mo.; one special granddaughter, Jennifer Oravec and husband, Chris, Willow Springs, Mo.; two step grandchildren, J. T. Chinn and wife, Summer and Nathan Chinn; two brothers, Clay Strickland and wife, Shirley, Troy, Illinois and Raymond Strickland and wife, Bonita, West Plains, Mo.; six sisters, Hope Heselton and husband, Harold, West Plains, Mo., Faith Wilson and husband, Virgil, Nixa, Mo., Lela Langston and husband, Jarred, Washington, Ill., Joan Vaughan and husband, Harold, West Plains, Mo., Doan Vaughan and husband, Howard, West Plains, Mo. and Virgie McCannon and husband, Marion, Kearney, Mo.; and several nieces and nephews. Mr. Strickland is preceded in death by his parents, one step granddaughter, Lindsey Chinn, one brother, Darrell Strickland and two nephews, Mike Strickland and John Strickland. He was of the Baptist faith. Graveside services for James Allen Strickland will be held at 3 p.m., Sunday, March 3, 2002 at the New Liberty Cemetery with Reverend Dennis Johnson, Piedmont, Mo. officiating under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Memorial contribution in memory of James Allen Strickland may be made to the New Liberty Cemetery and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.