ROANOKE RAPIDS — Mr. Lester “Red” Gordon Strickland, 86, of 147 Warren Dr., Roanoke Rapids, died Monday, March 9, 2009, peacefully and with dignity in his last hours surrounded by his loving family.

Advertisement

Mr. Strickland was a native of Goldsboro, the son of the late Isaac Isaiah Strickland and Myrtle Watkins Strickland. Mr. Strickland was a veteran of the United States Navy, serving his country in World War II. He was retired from Weldon Veneer as plant supervisor with 47 years of service. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Eleanor Sullivan Strickland.

Mr. Strickland is survived by his wife, Doris Strickland; his daughter, Susan Strickland of Raleigh; his two sons, Steven “Steve” Strickland of Winterville and Gary Strickland of Orange Park, Fla.; three grandchildren, Jennifer Finnegan, Ashley Finnegan and Samantha Finnegan; two great-grandchildren, MacKenzie and Daniel; his sisters, Doris Leggett of Williamston and Margaret Brown of Greenville; his brother, Tommy Strickland of Coco Beach, Fla.; his stepdaughter, Cynthia Mills of Greenville; two stepsons, Kenneth Minch of Greenville and Timothy Minch of New Bern; and two stepgrandchildren, Kendra Davenport and Joshua Mills.

The family will receive friends from 7 to 8:30 p.m.,  Wednesday, March 11, at Askew Funeral and Cremation Service in Roanoke Rapids, which is handling the arrangements.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Thursday March 12,  in the chapel of the funeral home, with the Rev. Greg Mills officiating. Interment will follow in Crestview Memorial cemetery with military rites

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Halifax County, 1229 Julian Allsbrook Highway, Roanoke Rapids NC 27870.

 The flag in front of the funeral home flies at half-staff in honor of Mr. Strickland’s service to his Country.

Online condolences may be made at www.askewfs.com