Donald Graham Strickland, born May 31, 1942, to Clarence Wesley Strickland and Lela Peedin Strickland in Pine Level, North Carolina, passed away on July 14, 2023 as a result of congestive heart failure.
His early formative years were shaped by growing up on his family’s farm in Pine Level working alongside his brothers, Jerry Wesley and Lloyd Douglas Strickland, farming tobacco. These years instilled a strong work ethic and focus on family.
He attended East Carolina University, graduating with a B.S. in Industrial Arts, and then NC State University with a Masters of Industrial Arts. He served for thirty years as a middle and high school teacher in Maryland and North Carolina Public Schools teaching math and industrial arts, including drafting, photography and woodshop. Additionally, he worked for Champion Spark Plug Company selling auto parts. When he wasn’t teaching, he worked as a small business handyman, painting and roofing houses.
He was married to Kay Jones Strickland for 54 years and they raised their three children in Raleigh, NC. Rearing Jon, Julie and Emily involved passing along a strong work ethic and the skill of painting and roofing, focusing on family and, as he often said, “surrounding yourself with good people,” including their church family at St. James United Methodist Church of Raleigh.
He was a lifelong sanctuary choir member and Joyful Noise singer at St. James, a United Methodist Men member and a Bread Ministry member at the church with Kay.
During his later years, he enjoyed woodworking projects including building Poppa Don’s Bluebird Boxes which he sold locally, scrapping metal, gardening with Kay at the family farm, bird watching, completing puzzles and spending time with his grandchildren.
Don leaves behind his children and grandchildren: Jonathan Graham Strickland (Melony) and son, Nathan; Julie Strickland Hagerman (David) and children Katelyn and DJ; Emily Strickland Murdock (Jack) and children Madeline Tew (Tyler), Mary Elaine Farlow (Nicholas), Connor Murdock; his brothers Jerry Wesley Strickland (Martha) and Lloyd Douglas Strickland (Kay); his nephews Kevin Strickland (Adalys) and Andrew Strickland (Adrienne); and numerous cousins and friends.
The family would like to thank the doctors at WakeMed Heart and Vascular Center as well as Dr. Joseph Micchia for excellent comprehensive medical care, Seniors Helping Seniors, and Village Church Rolesville for pastoral care.
In lieu of flowers, consider a memorial gift to St. James United Methodist Church or Village Church Rolesville. The family will be receiving friends and family at 1:00pm on Saturday, July 22 at St. James United Methodist Church in Raleigh. The funeral with interment will follow at 2:00 where he will rest alongside his wife Kay.
