Arthur T. Strickland

Arthur Theron Strickland, 95, passed away September 22, 2010.
He was born in Franklin County, NC on October 16, 1914. He was a 1940 civil engineering graduate of North Carolina State College. He worked tirelessly to send himself through college. His belief in the value of education led him to establish a trust to make sure that none of his grandchildren had to do the same. After his graduation, he served his country in WWII in the Pacific Theatre. At the end of the war he remained in the military and rose to be the head of Army Map Service Far East. He retired from the military after 26 years of service. Colonel Strickland then became Chief of Lunar Cartography with NASA and was in charge of mapping the moon. His efforts helped ensure the success of our country’s first lunar landing. On December 17, 1939 he married his college sweetheart, Ruth Waldo, a Meredith College graduate and Angel basketball player.
He was predeceased by his siblings Mattie Lee Stallings, and Margret Strickland, his beloved wife of 50 years, Ruth, his youngest daughter, Louise Ruth, and Freckles.
He is survived by his siblings Estelle S. Pierce, Hulda S. Wilson, Carl C. Strickland, and Helen S. Anderson; his daughter, Vicki Roady; son, Arthur P. Strickland (Diane); daughter, Ruth “Schatzi” Willis (Barry), Bobby Ruth (Kay); and son, Michael W. Strickland (Sarah); his grandchildren, Chip Roady (Colleen), Allison Hicklin (Eddy), Nicole Strickland, Elizabeth Mulley (Dave), Danielle Strickland, Julie Ruth, Ryan Strickland, Max Strickland, James Willis, Hadley Willis, Hollis Ruth, Walker Strickland, Carson Ruth, and Cormac Strickland. He is also survived by 4 ½ great-grandchildren, Tripp, Delaney, Madison, Dylan and TBD. He will also be sorely missed by his loving grand-dogs, Cody, Scout, Georgie, Molly, Portia, Sasha, Pedro, Jimmy, Jack, Jenny, Pheobe and Bert.
He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather and will be dearly missed by his family.
His family wishes to express their sincere thanks to the many men and women who befriended and cared for him at the Steward Health Center of the Springmoor Retirement Community. Their kindness and generosity will never be forgotten.
There will be a local service for family and friends at the Auditorium at Springmoor Retirement Community on Saturday, September 25, 2010 at 1:00 p.m.
Following the service friends and family are invited to gather at the home of his son, Michael.
Colonel Strickland will be interred with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery on December 30, 2010 at 9:00 a.m. In order to be a part of this service, it is imperative that attendees arrive by 8:30 the morning of.