July 18, 1930 – April 22, 2023 (age 92)

George (Ed) Strickland lived a good and long life. He finally got too tired and was ready to take his “eternal” nap. He was born on July 18th, 1930, in Bell, California to Ann and George(Sr). He was the oldest of 3 siblings, Larry and a baby sister Barbara Ann (who passed away before her 2nd birthday). He attended schools in the Los Angeles area, graduating from Franklin High School in Highland Park, Ca. He was a very talented athlete and lettered in several sports. He continued his love of baseball afterwards by playing for the L.A. AllStar team, while starting a career as a machinist apprentice for the Southern California Railroad.

He soon started dating his future wife, Frances Monteleone (the beautiful Italian love of his life of 73 years). He took a leave of absence when he had the opportunity to try out for professional level baseball in Texas. He did well and they offered him a contract, but he missed Fran (our mom) so much that he turned it down, returned back to her, his job, and soon started a family in LA. He left the railroad and began a job at Moore Business Forms in Fullerton, CA. Not long after he found out he was to be drafted into the Army during the Korean War. He instead chose to enlist in the US Airforce, where he was stationed at Mathers Air Force Base in Sacramento, CA. He served for two years then returned home and resumed his position at Moore Business Forms. He bought an ocean cabin cruiser, and along with some of his old high school buddies, went cliff diving, deep sea fishing, and skin diving for lobster, and Abalone. Several years later he was offered a promotion as a supervisor for the new Moore Business Forms Plant (now RR Donnely) and transferred to Logan, Utah in 1967. He bought a smaller fishing boat and continued to fish and play golf, and even baseball with his two sons in the city league teams. He started hunting and trapping for muskrats, minks and beavers. He enjoyed becoming a mountain man. Trips to bear lake camping and dutch oven cooking, with good friends, became a big part of his summers.

Since his retirement in 1992 he continued most of those hobbies, until about 10 years ago. He kept up his gardening, putting around the garage, repairing and building things, climbing ladders(!!!), and helping neighbors when he could. He stayed actively involved in the Knights of Columbus through St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church.

His children are Steve, Felice, and Joe who preceded him in death in 2018. He has five grandchildren, Tanaua, Toni (Josh), Niki (Dennis), Trae, and Michael (Britt). He also has five great grandchildren, Jaxon, Elliot, Georgie, Antonia, and Aurik.

Funeral arrangements will be made at a later time. He will eventually be interned with our mom when it’s time for their “together forever”.

We would like to thank Dr. Michael Francis and Deborah and Sabrina from BRAG, and at the very end nurse Rohn Larsen and his team at Intermountain Hospice. Rita from St. Thomas, and all of our caring and helpful neighbors and friends.

Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at Nelson Funeral Home.

 







Source link