Wayne H Stricklin

It is with great sadness that we announce the recent passing of our Father, Wayne H. Stricklin, 95, in Yuma, Arizona. Wayne was preceded in death by his daughter, Karen Sue in 1958; his loving wife, Patricia (Pat) in 1997; and his son, Tim in 2016.

Wayne was born in Kent County, Texas and his family moved to Blythe, California in 1943 where he graduated from Palo Verde high school. Wayne served in the Army during the Korean War from 1950 to 1952 and lead a half- track squad protecting the artillery against enemy land and air forces in three (3) major campaigns on the front line for which he received a Bronzed Star for his valor.

Wayne met Pat in 1952 and in April 1953, he married the love of his life, mother of his children and business partner. They were married for 44 years before her untimely death.

Wayne, throughout his life, was accomplished in many endeavors. He was a rodeo bronc rider, a crop duster, and started his own trucking business all before age 22. After the Korean war, he worked construction on building State Highways and the El Paso Nature Gas Line throughout the West, including, among others, the 4th Avenue Bridge over the Colorado River in Yuma. Wayne also worked as lead developmental equipment operator for Caterpillar Inc. in Phoenix, AZ from 1959-1961.

In 1962, Wayne and Pat moved to Wellton, AZ and started the Stricklin Land Leveling Company. For over 40 years, Stricklin Land Leveling served the Wellton-Mohawk, Dome, Texas Hill-Hyder and Yuma Valleys’ Farmers, including construction on the Yuma Proving Grounds and the Central Arizona Project.

Wayne retired to Yuma in 2005, enjoying his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, family and people who were close to him.

Wayne is survived by his three sons, John, Newt (Robyn) and Bob (Tammy) Stricklin; his daughters, Verna Lee Timboe (Rick) and Teresa Kleiner (Norbert); sister Edna Smith (Don); ten grandchildren (Scot, Branden, Robyn, Patti, Josh, Jeremiah, Max, Heaven, Jonah and Chloe) and ten great-grandchildren (Trent, Gracie, Wyatt, Travis, Jackson, Colt, Finn, Parker, Sarah and Theo).

A funeral service will be held on Nov 6 at 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM Johnson Chapel. Burial will be held at the Wellton Cemetery with a reception to follow at the Wellton.

Hive Restaurant 28534 Los Angeles Avenue Wellton, AZ 85356 (928) 581-4824

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Wellton Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Post #6790, 29389 Oakland Avenue, Wellton 85356 and the Yuma American Legion Post 19 2020 W 3rd ST. Lot 11 Yuma, AZ 85364.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.johnsonmortuaryyuma.com for the Stricklin family.