Jerry Wesley Strickland

Jerry Wesley Strickland, of New Bern, NC, passed away unexpectedly at his home on Brice’s Creek on June 11, 2026.

Born on September 23, 1935, in Pine Level, NC, he was the oldest child of Clarence Wesley Strickland and Lela Peedin Strickland. He grew up on a farm and graduated from Pine Level High School in 1954. Jerry served in the US Air Force and, upon return from the Azores, attended East Carolina University where he earned the BS and MS degrees in Industrial Arts Education and an MSA in School Administration.

Jerry spent all of his career working as an educator for Craven County Schools. He taught industrial arts in the Havelock schools and served as the principal of James City, Farm Life, West Craven High School, and West Havelock (now Arthur W. Edwards), from which he retired. Outside of work, he had a passion for hunting, fishing and boating; the products of his woodworking were shared with many. He was widely known for his love of dogs and birds, and his pride included his front yard pecan tree, the nuts of which were appreciated far and wide. Jerry was a Master Mason for over fifty years.

He found joy spending time in his places on the water in New Bern and Paradise Shores. He was friends with his neighbors and spent a lot of time with his family, teaching his grandchildren to love the water.

Jerry is survived by his loving wife of thirty years, Martha Murchison Strickland; step-daughters Elizabeth Boyd Gatchel (Brian) and Joanna Lyn Agnew (Tom); his grandchildren—who called him “BoBo”—Madelyn Elizabeth Gatchel (Dylan), James William Gatchel II (Kaitlyn), and Boyd Hinton Best. He also leaves behind his brother Lloyd Douglas Strickland (Kay), nieces Julie Hagerman (David), Emily Murdock (Jack), Adrienne Strickland, nephews Jonathan Strickland (Melony), Kevin Strickland (Adalys) and Andrew Strickland (Adrienne), and their children/grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Donald Graham Strickland (Kay) and nephew Brad Strickland. A special thank you to neighbors Brian Sears and Lauren Wargo, who were like family to Jerry.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, July 11, at 10:00 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church Memorial Garden, located at 400 New Street, New Bern, NC, with a reception to follow. Friends and family are welcome to attend and celebrate Jerry’s life.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests making donations in Jerry’s memory to the Lela Peedin Strickland Scholarship Fund at East Carolina University, to Craven County Partners in Education or to a memorial of your choice.

Arrangements are being handled by Kahlert Funerals & Cremations, 308 Main Street Maysville, North Carolina.