Clifton M Strickland

Clifton (Clip, Cliff) Maurice Strickland was welcomed to the world by his parents David and Pauline on September 12, 1964, at 11:35 PM.

Clip was raised in a loving home and caring, close-knit family. His cousins, who were like his sisters and brothers, were his friends. They would spend time together at his home and at their grandparents' home.

Clip's Christian education began at an early age. He grew up at Carey Tercentenary AME Church. As a child he was a Junior Usher, President of the Junior Usher Board, Children's Choir member, Sunday School student, and participant in Vacation Bible School, and Christmas, Easter and Children's Day Programs. As an adult he sang in the Adult Choir, organized the 20-40 Club – where he served as club president for several years, was appointed the Church Treasurer and participated in Christmas Programs.

Clip was educated in the Chicago and Oak Park Public School systems. He attended preschool at the ABC Youth Center and kindergarten through fourth grade at Lathrop Elementary School in Chicago. In Oak Park, he graduated from Hawthorne Middle School in 1978 and Oak Park River Forest (OPRF) High School in 1982.

He found his sports niche in Oak Park. He was on the village hockey team for one season, he couldn't ice skate too well. He played Little League Baseball where he was the winning pitcher in several All-Star games. He was a Running Back in Pop Warner Football. He was a Running Back at OPRF where he earned the nickname "Cliffhanger" for a 98-yard touchdown run. He also played basketball and ran track. In College he was on the Millikin University Football Team but left the team after his sophomore season.

Clip was always interested in how things worked. As a child he would take things apart and sometimes had extra pieces when he put them back together.

Clip was a student at Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois, majoring in Industrial Engineering when he met Tina Loury.

Cliff was man who knew his mind, and what he wanted. This was extremely evident when he asked Tina to marry him after dating for only two months. Cliff and Tina began dating in April 1984, and two months later he asked her to marry him. They were married the following year in April 1985.

Clifton graduated from Millikin University in May 1985 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Industrial Engineering. It was later that same year when Clifton and Tina welcomed their first child, Ashley. Their son, David, followed three years later.

Seeking better opportunities, Clifton moved his family back to Chicago. He began working in the field of information as a Programmer Analyst for Williams Electronic Games. Taking the knowledge and experience from this position allowed Cliff to further his expertise as a Senior Programmer Analyst with Sunstar America and Kolcraft Products. With the full support of his wife, Cliff ventured into IT Consulting. Cliff branched into training programmers in basic RPG and CL techniques and educated them on effectively estimating development timelines.

Desiring another professional challenge, Clifton relocated his family to the Phoenix, Arizona area when he accepted a position with Amkor Technologies. He worked at Amkor for over twelve years. His first position was the ICS (IT) Operations Manager. It was in this role that Cliff traveled extensively to Taiwan and the Philippines working with colleagues in those offices. Cliff moved into IT Asset-Change Management and IT Governance at Amkor where he worked on change management processes and corporate audits.

Always up for adventure, Clifton decided that it was time for a change of scenery. He and Tina decided to move to the Austin, Texas area in the Summer of 2019. He was ready to begin the empty-nester phase of their lives. Cliff and Tina made the drive from Arizona to Texas and began a new chapter in the Hill Country.

Cliff was a Renaissance Man. His varied interests included traveling, reading, golf, and playing pool. He loved to read, play chess, and to barbecue for his family. Cliff enjoyed barbecuing on his barrel grill, especially brats. Cliff enjoyed planning movie nights for his family and preparing waffles or pancakes on the weekends for them.

Clifton had a serious sweet tooth. He would tell you that he didn't have any favorites, but you could always find Neapolitan Ice Cream and sandwich cookies in the house. He did have a fondness for anything lemon, and he loved Tina's sweet potato pies.

Cliff loved action movies and was a huge Sci-Fi Fan. He planned movie dates with Tina based on the latest releases in this genre. His love of movies was also evident in his extensive DVD collection of over 200 movies.

Cliff was a staunch believer in being his brother's keeper. He was always willing to lend a hand, and support those in need. Cliff would literally give the shirt off his back to someone in need and was a resource for anyone who needed it.

Many people know Clifton as a serious and no-nonsense person. However, he had a softer side and humorous side to him. Those closest to him were the beneficiaries of this part of Cliff's personality, and it was a privilege to see it.

Clip made his transition on Sunday, April 7, 2024, at his home in Round Rock, TX, with his wife and mother at his side. Waiting to reunite with him are his father, David W. Strickland, Uncle, Gerald Evans, Jr., Grandparents, Gerald Sr. and Geraldine Evans, Aunts, Marietta Hester and Janis Dunn, Bonus Father, Michael L. Doyle and Best Friend, Aubrey Miller.

Continuing his legacy and cherishing his memory are his wife Tina, Round Rock, TX, Children, Richard Carman, Mankato, MN, Ashley Strickland-Horne (Chris) Phoenix, AZ, David E. Strickland, Phoenix, AZ and Elysia Strickland, Chicago, IL. Mother Pauline Doyle, Round Rock, TX, Brother Keith Strickland (Dionne), Daytona Beach, FL, Niece, Alexandria Bowman, Marietta, GA, Grandchildren Desiree Strickland, Phoenix, AZ, Zuriyah and Kahlia Carman, Mankato, MN, Aunts, Cynthia Wilson, Patricia Wharf and Alice Evans, "Other" Mother, Vera Davis, Cousins/Sisters Connie Jackson and Sharon Williams, all of Chicago, IL, Parents-in-Love Charles and Bernice Loury, Decatur, IL, Sister-in-Love, Kimberly Houston and Brother-in-Love, Gary Houston, Elkhart, IN, Preschool Friend, Curtisteen Hill, Dallas, TX, Family friend and mentor, Thomas Simpson, Phoenix, AZ, Bonus Siblings, Ayanna Doyle-Ridley (Derrick) and Michael Doyle, Chicago, IL, Adopted Brother Scotty Bland, Killeen, TX, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Visitation

Friday, April 26, 2024

4:00 PM – 7:30 PM

CKC Memorial Chapel @ Pickett Funeral Home

5301 W. Madison Ave

Chicago, IL 60644

 

Funeral

Saturday, April 27, 2024

Carey Tercentenary African Methodist Episcopal Church

1448 S. Homan Ave.

Chicago, IL 60623

9:00 AM – 10:00 AM: Pre-past

10:00 AM – 11:00 AM: Wake

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Funeral. Livestreamed at https://www.facebook.com/careytercentenaryamechurch

 

 

Internment immediately after the service:

Oakridge Cemetery

4301 West Roosevelt Road

Hillside, IL 60162