David Matthew Strickland

David Matthew Strickland was born on March 22, 1962 to Juanell and Omar “Butch” Strickland in Wichita Falls, Texas. He graduated from Wichita Falls High School in 1980. He married Stacey on July 7, 2007. David was a committed son, husband, father, step-father, grandfather, great-grandfather, church deacon, friend and handyman. He had just retired from Midwestern State University on January 31, 2021 after serving as an Electronic Technician for 22 years. He had planned on working part time as a handyman, and spending the rest of his time doing the things he loved the most: being with his family and friends and working on building projects for his church.

David leaves behind to celebrate his life his wife, Stacey, and his father, Butch. His children include: daughter Sarah Johnson and her husband Jim of Wichita Falls, Texas; son Matt Strickland and his wife Marissa of Windthorst, Texas; step-son Darrell Stewart and his wife Robin of Iowa Park,Texas; daughter Emily Villegas and her husband Albert of Stephenville, Texas; step-daughter Kathleen Stewart and her partner Patricia of Burkburnett, Texas; step-daughter Ashley Warton and her husband Brandon of Wichita Falls, Texas. His grandkids are Jacob Johnson, Allie, Blake, Charlie, and Alice Stewart, Abraham and Elizabeth Villegas, Lena, Jacob and David Barron, and Wesson, Grayson, Liam and Alek Warton. His three great-grandkids are Lila and Laveya Buckalew and Galileo Hernandez. He is also survived by his brothers Kenneth and Michael Don.

David was always ready to lend his skills to anyone who needed them. Whether you had a carpentry, electric, auto or math problem, he either knew how to fix it himself or knew where to go to solve it. His children learned quickly to never ask for his help on math questions unless all other avenues had been tried as they were in for a thorough lesson using scrap paper and his special pen. He loved imparting his knowledge on these things to his kids and their spouses, wanting to pass on his skills to the next generation. All of his kids knew how to change a tire and drive a standard. He spent a lot of time serving with the Disciples Men’s groups in building churches and gathering areas for their congregations all over the state of Texas. In April of 2017, he was awarded Layman of the Year by the Disciples Men. He was always traveling for mission trips, sporting events, Boy Scouts, and stock shows with and for his kids. He also enjoyed going on fun adventures with his family.

If you ever needed to find David and he wasn’t answering his phone, he was likely at Parkway Grill. He was known for his signature style of overalls, work boots, and collared shirt with a pocket; he had to be specifically told at each wedding that he was NOT allowed to wear overalls.

The service celebrating David’s life will be on Monday, February 22, 2021 at 2 pm at First Christian Church. Visitation will be on Sunday, February 21, 2021 from 3-5pm. Flowers may be sent to Hampton Vaughn Crestview Funeral Home in Wichita Falls. Monetary donations can be made in David’s name to First Christian Church Wichita Falls.