Mr. James Preston Strickland, age 88 passed away on Thursday, November 21, 2013. He was born on May 7, 1925 in Polk County. He was the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. William and Willie Elizabeth Rudeseal Strickland.

Mr. Strickland retired from Goodyear with 38 years. He was a farmer for many years and was an elder at Cedar Lake Christian Center.

Mr. Strickland is survived by his daughters and sons-in-law, Gloria Redden and James, Margie Elliott and J.C. and Vera Summerville and Wayne; sons and daughters –in-law, Roy Strickland and Pat and Danny Strickland and Judy; sister, Merilyn Crawford; 16 grandchildren; 38 great-grandchildren and 6 great-great grandchildren.

Mr. Strickland is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Josie "Irene" Miller Strickland; grandson, Todd Elliott; great-grandson, Jacob Strickland; brothers, Clarence Strickland, Van Strickland, Lloyd Strickland, Arnold Strickland and Robert Earl Strickland and sisters, Burlean Kitchens and Ledever Strickland.

The funeral arrangements for Mr. Strickland will be conducted on Saturday, November 23, 2013 at eleven o'clock in the morning at the Cedar Lake Christian Church with Rev. David Huskins officiating. Interment will follow in the Northview Cemetery.

The family of Mr. Strickland will receive family and friends on Friday, November 22, 2013 from six o'clock in the evening until nine o'clock in the evening at the Gammage Funeral Home.

The following gentlemen will serve as pallbearers; Steve Strickland, Tracy Elliott, Ronnie McElheney, Ryan McElheney, Kyle Allen, Preston Summerville, Austin Fowler and Jason Lakford. Honorary pallbearers will be Terry Elliott, Dan Strickland, Brad Summerville, Travis Elliott and Scott Lakford.

Messages of condolences can be made to the family by visiting our website and signing the online guestbook at gammagefh.com.

The Olin L. Gammage and Sons Funeral Home is handling the arrangements for Mr. James Preston Strickland.