Dennis Harold Strickland

Dennis H. Strickland Obituary

Dennis Strickland, 79, of Garland, Texas, passed peacefully in his sleep and went to Heaven on Monday, August 25, 2025, with his loving wife, Linda, by his side (as always), and just two months shy of his 80th birthday.

Dennis was born on October 19, 1945 in Sulphur Springs, Texas to Harold Strickland and Mary Lela (Magers) Strickland. He grew up in the (then rural) Pleasant Grove area where he learned the value of hard work, the meaning of True Grit, how to fight for what he wanted in life, and how to find joy in fishing, hunting, and being in the outdoors – where he always said he felt the closest to God. From these humble beginnings, he became the first person in his family to ever attend college – first going to El Centro Junior College where he met the love of his life, Linda, and later graduating from the University of Texas in Arlington with a Bachelor of Science Degree with High Honors. Dennis married Linda on May 17, 1970 and loved her for 55 years.

Dennis first worked for Jones Blair Paint Company in their warehouse and landed a job in their computer department upon his graduation. He spent the majority of his career working for LD Brinkman, the world's largest carpet distributor and advanced very quickly in his career reaching the top as the Chief Information Officer at a very young age. He was so respected in his field, that at the sunset of his career, when LD Brinkman was purchased, he was the only person in the entire business that the acquiring company wanted to keep.

Beyond his professional success, Dennis enjoyed fishing, hunting, watching the Dallas Cowboys, Texas history (especially the Texas Rangers) and spending time with his family. He never missed a family holiday, boy scout meeting, kid's football game, or hunting season. Dennis became very active in scouting with both of his sons, serving as an adult leader of Boy Scout Troop 100 in Garland, Texas for almost twenty years, with ten of them as the Scoutmaster. In fact, probably because Dennis grew up without a father in his home after the age of three, he served as a father figure for many young men in scouting as well as some of the friends of his two boys, Duncan and Hunter, and had a special place in his heart for those boys who did not have fathers around. He really enjoyed introducing young men to the outdoors and was always willing to take anyone fishing or hunting. He was loved and admired by all those who knew him. Dennis believed life was to be lived through hard work, dedication, exploration and adventure. His favorite vacations were getting in the motorhome with Linda and going to parts unknown, to catch the fish there.

Dennis showed love by spending as much time as he could with those he loved and doing anything and everything he could for them, whether they asked for it or not, whether they wanted him to or not. He personified the statement that generous people don't offer to help, they just help.

He will be remembered as a loving husband, the very best father you could have, a friend, a mentor, a fishing buddy, a hunting partner, and that person you could call when you did not know what to do or how to do it. He was a ferocious defender, grace in a crisis, calm during a storm, a rock, a safety net, and someone who always had wisdom for those who would listen.

Dennis was survived by his wife, Linda, whom he adored; his son, Duncan Strickland, and Duncan's wife, Cindy; his son, Hunter Strickland, and Hunter's wife, Emily; his grandchildren, Harmony, Kenley, Levi, Blake, and Lily; his half-sisters, Cindy Pettijohn and Laurie Strickland; his brothers-in-law, Steve Fritz (fishing buddy) and John Fritz; and Boy Scout Troop 100 of Garland, Texas and all those who carry on the scouting traditions.

He was preceded in death by his father, Harold Strickland, and his mother, Mary Lela Lynn.

The family would like to thank everyone for coming and for sharing your favorite memories with Dennis, especially the funny ones.

While it is a little unusual, instead of gifts or donations to a charity, the family believes that the best way to honor Dennis would be to save up your money, grab your family and take them to the outdoors and make memories with them they will never forget – that is what he did.

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