Sonny Gerald Strickland

May 14, 1950 – January 3, 2025

Sonny Gerald Strickland, age 74, passed away on January 3, 2025 in Jacksonville, Florida, after a battle with lung cancer.

Sonny is survived by his wife of 54 years, Elizabeth “Betty”; his children Teresa “Terri” Ponder (Alan), Susan “Susie” McCann (J.R.), and Raymond “Joe” Strickland; his grandchildren Jessi Tejada (Max), Makenzie Rogers, Regan Ponder, Peyton McCann, and Parker McCann; and his brother, Donald Strickland (Nancy). He is preceded in death by his parents, William Raymond and Ruby Strickland, and his siblings Raymond Terrell Strickland, William Harold Strickland, and Brinda Faye Melton.

Sonny was born on May 14, 1950 in Jacksonville. He graduated from Paxon High School in 1968. Shortly after, he was drafted into the Army and went on to serve in Vietnam. Following the service, Sonny worked as a “telephone man” for Southern Bell/BellSouth/AT&T for 40 years. Sonny liked to say that if you saw a telephone truck outside of a restaurant at lunchtime, you wanted to eat there because it’d be the best food you ever ate.

Sonny, affectionately known as Daddy or Papa, loved his family above all else. A family man through and through, he led us with kindness, quiet strength, and a gentle nature. He was always a phone call away and would drop anything to aid his loved ones with anything they may need. His true best, happiest times were when he was with his family. He loved driving the boat, especially while his grandkids tubed or waterskied. He loved crab legs, Mary Jane candies, and Christmas cookies. He loved his little dog, Miley, who was never far from his side.

The family will miss his story telling, jokes, and hearing him sing along to every song on the Saturday Night Gold Rush. We will miss his wisdom, strength, and unwavering love and support. Nothing we can write here will do justice to the truly amazing, wonderful man Sonny was. We were lucky to know and be loved by him.

Sonny will be laid to rest at Jacksonville National Cemetery, 4083 Lannie Road Jacksonville, FL 32218. There will be a graveside service for family and friends on Monday, January 13, 2025 at 10:30 a.m.