Glenn Lee Strickler
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- Category: Obituaries
- Created on Tuesday, 31 December 2013 11:01
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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.”
Thanks to the generosity and expertise of the the Central Council of Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska broadband department, Tidal Network ; Christopher Cropley, director of Tidal Network; and Luke Johnson, Tidal Network technician, SitkaSentinel.com is again being updated. Tidal Network has been working tirelessly to install Starlink satellite equipment for city and other critical institutions, including the Sentinel, following the sudden breakage of GCI's fiberoptic cable on August 29, which left most of Sitka without internet or phone connections. CCTHITA's public-spirited response to the emergency is inspiring.
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20 YEARS AGO
September 2004
Photo caption: Nikko Friedman and Gus Bruhl of the Rain Forest Rascals running team, dressed in skunk cabbage and boots, make their way down Lincoln Street during the annual Running of the Boots. Scores turned out for the event, a fundraiser for the Dog Point Fish Camp.
50 YEARS AGO
September 1974
The freshmen students initiation will be Friday at the school. Dress will be respectable. ... Suspension of three days will be enforced for any of the following violations: throwing of eggs; spraying of shaving cream; cutting of hair; and any pranks which could be harmful to the welfare of the students.