Charles M. Stricklin

Charles had a long and successful career in state and federal government after serving in the United States Air Force in intelligence services (G3) where he became fluent in several Eastern European languages. During and after college at University of Texas at Austin, he worked for the Texas Education Agency in vocational rehabilitation. He then earned a master's degree in psychology from Texas Tech University.

In August 1971, Charles was recruited by the federal service where he served in financial and grant management in leadership positions for the social service and child welfare agencies across the five-state federal region, headquartered out of Dallas. He always took the "benefiting people approach," assuring everyone received proportionate, allocable and equitable shares. He was honored repeatedly for his outstanding service and exemplary leadership. He retired in 1994 as director of financial services, Administration for Children and Families, with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

He will be remembered for going out of his way to help people with his infinite kindness and unwavering strength. He lived his life for his wife, his children and his grandchildren and the lessons that he taught them will long survive his passing.

Charles was preceded in death by his parents, McKinley Stricklin and Vera Miller; and siblings, Jack Stricklin and Bobbie Herring.

Survivors: He is lovingly survived by his wife, Artie; his children, Rick, Sharon, Ron and wife, Kim, and Scott; and eight grandchildren who proudly called him their Papa.