James was born November 19, 1929 in Harrisburg, PA to Frank and Sue Strickland. He was raised in nearby Marietta and attended Franklin and Marshall College, fell in love with a nursing student, Dorothy Ann Cope, and was married. Jim graduated from F and M, and went on to earn a PhD in physics from MIT. Jim and Dot moved to Lexington, MA, where he created educational materials for the teaching of physics from 1960 to 1973. There they also raised a family. The family then moved to Hudsonville, MI where he taught and chaired the physics department at Grand Valley State College, where he remained until his retirement in 1995.
He was very active with family: sons Thomas Strickland (San Antonio, TX), David Strickland (Barbara) (Bixby, OK), and daughter, Karen Strickland (Allendale, MI). He treasured time spent with grandchildren Tiffany Strickland (Corning, NY), and Brandon Strickland (Laura) (Reading, PA), and Rachael Strickland and Alyssa Strickland (Sapulpa, OK); Jim delighted in his great-granddaughter, Zoey Strickland (Reading, PA); Jim also had a sister-in-law, Mary Ann Cope (Reading, PA); along with many nieces and nephews.
Jim loved to stay busy even after retiring. He participated in the Science Olympiad held each year at Grand Valley and taught Bridge classes at Freedom Village. He published the in-house newspaper and put on Movie Night for the residents. He was a member of First United Methodist Church and Hope College’s HASP.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents; in-laws; wife, Dorothy; eldest son, Tom; brother, Robert Strickland; and wife, Jean (Bainbridge, PA); as well as his brother-in-law, Dr. David Cope MD (Reading, PA).
There will be no funeral as Jim’s wish was to be cremated, but a private celebration of Jim’s life will take place at a future date. In honor of Jim and in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the MS Society or the International Storytelling Center. The family welcomes memories and messages in the guest book online for Cook Funeral Home, Grandville, MI at www.cookscaresgrandville.com.
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International Storytelling Center
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