Daily Sitka Sentinel

Glenn Lee Strickler

Glenn Lee Strickler,  80,  a U.S. Navy veteran and a good friend to many,  passed away Dec. 21, 2013, while in Bartlett Regional Hospital in Juneau.
He had been ill about four years. Two years were spent in Sacramento, Calif., with his sister Sally, her husband Jim, and  boys Mike and Tony, where he was loved and cared for through some very rough times, including having a pacemaker fitted and getting a bionic knee.
But Glenn missed Sitka, his home, the ocean, and Sitka family and fishing, so he came home. He needed some care and about three months ago he had to move to Juneau for treatment.
Glenn was born Feb. 17, 1933, in Elbe, Wash., and grew up on a farm, working and learning. He was very smart and curious, loved animals, birds and the outdoors, always wondering what was around the next corner.
When the Korean conflict started, Glenn quit school at 17 and joined the U.S. Navy. He was stationed in Japan and was able to travel to other countries.
On discharge, Glenn returned home but was ready for adventure. He went to chef’s school in Tacoma, Wash.  He had interesting opportunities, even  a chance to cook at Bing Crosby’s Ranch, which  he turned down, and ended up cooking at McChord Air Force Base,  where he met many dignitaries  such as President Eisenhower.
But something was missing so he signed on as a cook on a seine boat bound to Alaska and jumped ship in Sitka, in the late ’50s. The beauty  of the country seemed to be what he was looking for. He started commercial fishing, and worked at Alaska Lumber and Pulp, where he was power house shift engineer when the plant closed.
But the biggest deal of his life was meeting and marrying Lorraine Jane Thomas. She was the love of his life, hunting and fishing partner. They spent many hours with their dogs on the water, riding the waves and bringing home fish and deer, which they shared with family and friends. She fished until she became ill, in 2004. They were married 50 years.
During the early years they were blessed with  a daughter,  Julie, who was a big part of their lives.
Glenn had lots of interests  and hobbies, but he loved his family, his dogs, fishing and hunting, and most of all helping others. He was always so generous with all he had.
He is survived by his daughter, Julie Strickler Thorton, her husband Ken,  children Tiffany, Denholm,  Darrick and  Kasey, and granddaughter,  Lillian, of Scappoose, Ore.
He also is survived by his sister, Patricia J. (Sally) Bock, her husband Jim. and sons Mike and Tony, of Sacramento, Calif.; niece Jolene Strickler Taylor and her husband Paul; aunt Alberta  Johnson; and nephews Mike Bock, Tony Bock, Randy Strickler and  Scott Strickler.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Lorraine Jane Thomas Strickler; father Chester Lee Ted Strickler, mother Lavera Hazel Lloyd Strickler, and brother Robert E. Strickler 
Glenn has many friends but was very grateful for Pat and wife, his neighbors  who watched out for him and took care of chores; his LDS  church family, who seemed to find him wherever  he went;  Hilda and Paulo; and Jim Womack, a  best buddy on and off the water – along with Faun they spent many hours fishing or repairing.
A viewing will be 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 2, at Prewitt’s Funeral Home.
Services will be 11 a.m. to noon Friday, Jan. 3, at the LDS Church 105 Shotgun Alley. Graveside services will follow at noon at Sitka National Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be  Rodney McGee,  Frank Rogers, Rod Ady, Cornelius Sims, Mike Wortman  and Pat Burnett.
Honorary pallbearers are Judson Thomas,  Lonnie East, James Womack, Jim Bock, Tony Bock,  Mike Bock, Ken Thorton, Randy Strickler  Scott Strickler, Al Bigley, Brock Bauder, Tomoya Kawakami,  Richard Smith and Rick Heart.
“Glenn  will be missed by many,” friends said. “Sitka was a better place with Glenn around.”