Leroy Stricker, 1929-2023
Leroy lived by the Golden rule:
Do unto others as you would have them do to you.
In these last years Leroy saw the relevance of memorizing the the 10 commandments and also in having a personal relationship with Jesus. He felt it his mission to tell others of its importance.
The 10 Commandments
• You shall have no other God's before me.
• Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven images. ...
• Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain. ...
• Remember the Sabbath day and keep it Holy. ...
• Honor your father and mother. ...
• Thou shalt not kill. ...
• Thou shalt not commit adultery. ...
• Thou shalt not steal.
To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven
Leroy Stricker has given generously to those who have known him; knowledge, wisdom, integrity, honesty and sharing with others his knowledge of God.
He was born in 1929, at the beginning of he Great Depression and his family had very little in the way of possessions, but these experiences taught Dad not to waste, and he became very resourceful throughout his life.
Leroy had a lot of common sense, and an endless amount of stamina, which was the outworking of his sense of purpose, to accomplish something, everyday.
Much could be said about him, he had an ability to fix anything, and he had much knowledge in the areas of auto mechanics, electronics, and carpentry. He loved his cars and could tell you all about how they worked. He loved nature and animals. I didn’t recognize this as a child but as an adult I saw his curiosity about plants, the sky, nature and his tenderness towards animals. Also, most do not know, he even dug his own basement by hand, should I mention he was strong?
Leroy believed in education, not just scholastic education, but also in every opportunity to improve his self. At 18 he left working alongside his father, in their small town service station, in Lake Preston, to join the Navy. Moving from the cold state of South Dakota, to the warmth of San Diego and then to Hawaii was a welcomed experience. Here his world widened and he experienced life on a ship, traveling to many countries.
During his assignment in Hawaii, he worked extra shifts to attend the Arthur Murray ballroom dance school. His next assignment, he was sent back to San Diego where he met our mother at a ballroom dance. As they started their family, it was decided to join the Air Force services, to be at home with the family. One thing I always appreciated about Dad, was his constant presence and dependability. I have always felt secure being raised in his house, he made rules, and was consistent in enforcing them, teaching us through his good example to be law abiding. He has always been hard-working, of even temperament and treated my mother respectfully.
During this time in the military, he strategized to use the education the military offered, enabling him to learn to be an electrician and to work in advanced electronics. His thought, was to always continue learning, and to endeavor to understand how to be smart about managing your finances. I vividly remember him trying to teach me about the things he knew. He felt life was always a school room.
Leroy’s faith in God is known to anyone who meets him. He was a quiet man. However in these later years, he found his voice. No longer was he quiet, but reached out to everyone that God placed in his path, whether it be in the grocery store, restaurant or someone walking down the street, always making a point to pray for them.. He met the needs of so many people. In his neighborhood he would repair the neighbors property at his own expense saying that God would always repay him in abundance. He would help others who were out of work, by giving them work around his house and even when someone would wrongfully and take something of his, while helping them, he was always saying how much God took care of him.
On Monday, April 24, 2023 Leroy Stricker of San Angelo, Texas passed away at the age of 93. Leroy was born May 27, 1929, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, to the late Roy Charles Stricker and Viola Katherine(Engel) Stricker. He was also preceded by his loving wife Jeannette Stricker and two brothers , Dale Stricker and Paul Stricker. Mr. Stricker retired from the Navy and Air Force and continued to work for Angelo State University and retired from GTE. Survivors include his sister Carol Johnson of South Dakota, two daughters, Dianna Eicher and husband Curt Eicher of Canyon Lake, Texas, and Linda Wilkinson and husband Bruce Wilkinson of Rogers, Arkansas; his nine grandchildren: Melanie Jacobson, Matthew Eicher, Stephanie Yost, Christopher Wilkinson, Wesley Wilkinson, Peter Wilkinson, Victoria Parnell, Michael Wilkinson, and Catherine Wilkinson; and his 18 great grandchildren and extended family members and dear friends. Graveside services will be 11am May 6, 2023 at Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens in San Angelo. Arrangements with Johnson’s Funeral Home.
