Celebrating the life of
Owen C. "Sonny" Strickland
June 16, 1933 - March 28, 2016
Owen C. “Sonny” Strickland, Jr.
Owen Clinton "Sonny" Strickland, Jr., 82, died Monday, March 28, 2016 in Savannah. He was born June 16, 1933 in Savannah, Chatham County, Georgia. He attended Fell Avenue Grammar School, Chatham Junior High School and Savannah High School, attaining the rank of Cadet Battalion Executive Officer in the ROTC program, before the joining the U.S. Navy. He attended Boot Camp at San Diego Naval Training Center and was appointed Recruit Company Commander. After leaving Boot Camp he was assigned to Air Craft Carrier, U.S.S. Leyte Gulf-CV-32 as an Aerial Photographer and Aerial Gunner. After the ships return to the Korean Theatre/Conflict in 1951, he was assigned to Fleet Training Command at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, Cuba until his discharge in 1954 at which time he began a long career in law enforcement.
From 1954 to 1957 he attended Armstrong Junior College in the evenings under the G.I. Bill. In 1957 he was hired by U.S. Treasury Departments Narcotic Bureau and sent to the Miami Field Office where he worked undercover assignments in south Florida and Cuba. In 1957, he went with the U.S. Narcotics Bureau in Miami, Florida. He was subsequently hired by the C.I.A. as a contract employee to help out Fidel Castro in power in Cuba. In 1959, after Castro kicked all the agents out of Cuba and turned Communist, he returned to the states and went to Atlanta, Georgia where he again worked to eliminate moon shining again until 1961.
In 1961 he went with the U.S. Treasury Department Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms (from which his father served from 1924 thru 1952). He was assigned to Florence, SC until 1964, then to Memphis, TN as a resident Agent in Charge until 1967, then to Americus, GA as a Special Agent until 1974; then back to Savannah, GA as Special Agent until his retirement June 30, 1983.
From 1983 to 1989, he worked as Director for the Sheraton Hotel in Savannah as Director of Security and Safety. He then worked under contract with the U.S. Marshall’s Service as a Court Security Officer until his complete retirement in 1995 after a 41 year Law Enforcement career.
He was a member of P.O.A.G. since 1954 and was a life member of the F.O.P. He was a member of Thunderbolt Masonic Lodge #693 and Alee Shrine Temple since 1956. He was a charter member of Tybee Lite Shrine Club.
He enjoyed camping, fishing, bird watching, and bicycling around Wilmington Island, and telling colorful stories of events that occurred during his long Law Enforcement career to anyone who would listen. He was a distinguished pistol shooting expert, winning many matches and trophies locally and nationally.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Joan Sikes Strickland, his son, Owen C. Strickland, III, and one brother, Robert Lawrence (Bobby) Strickland, Sr.
He is survived by his wife, Linda L. Strickland, his son and daughter-in-law, John S. and Joyce R. Strickland, grandchildren, Ashleigh Strickland, Claire Strickland, and Mollye Fitzpatrick, and one brother, Walter L. Strickland, and one sister, Elizabeth “Betty” Johnson. He is also survived by his step-children, Kenneth Thorne, Kevin Thorne, Keith Thorne, and Kristen Getsy, and 11 step-grandchildren.
Visitation will be 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Thursday, March 31, 2016 at the Islands Chapel of Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors.
Funeral Service will be 1:00 p.m., Friday, April 1, 2016 at the Islands Chapel of Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors. Burial will be in Hillcrest Abbey Memorial Park with military honors and Masonic rites.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Shriner’s Children’s Hospital, 2900 N. Rock Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607.
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Islands Chapel
Sonny was well known, and well liked, among ATF special agents in the southeast region and other areas where he worked. He definitely was a legend and will be sorely missed by his many former work associates, family and friends. My deepest sympathy and sincerest condolences for his family. Laus Deo (praise be to God)
- David Barrineau, San Antonio, Texas
John, I'm so sorry for your loss. Your dad was a great man and I'm blessed to have known him. You're in my thoughts and prayers. Monica
- Monica Dorsey, Savannah, Ga
Linda, John, Family: Thinking of each one of you at this time and our sincere and deepest sympathy and love, remembering the best neighbor and friend anyone could have. As they say, he was the MOST to say the least. God bless.
- Peggy and Harold Stripling, Savannah, GA
I worked with Sonny in Florence, SC, and have tons of great memories, He was great to be around, he made an exciting job even more exciting. I am so sorry to we lost him.
- Pete Murphy, Mobile, Al
John and family, My condolences, prayers are with you and your family during this time. Cherish all the memories! LK
- Linda Kaapa, Savannah, GA
My condolences to the family upon learning of Sonny's passing. I had the pleasure of working with Sonny often throughout our career with ATF. He leaves us who knew him with many good memories of "our" time together.
- Ron Baughn, Lake City, FL
Dear Linda, Peggy and I were so saddened to hear of Sonny's passing. When he arrived in Americus and I first met him, I felt I was meeting someone who already was a legend in ATF. It was so good to see him in Savannah after he retired. George & Peggy Nowicki
- George Nowicki, Miami, Florida
Sonny brightened so many days with his mailings to me. I loved the humor, the politics, and the travel photos. I will miss him, and I can only imagine the sorrow his family feels at his passing. He was larger than life, and will be remembered by many people as a patriotic American. Cousin Diane
- Diane Strickland LeBlanc, Roanoke, VA
To the family of Sonny my deepest regrets and I share in your loss of Sonny. Best regards to all of the family Aggie
- Agatha McCullough, Savannah, GA
I worked with ATF in Atlana for a number of years and have fond memories of Sonny. He was such a nice man with a great smile and wonderful stories. My sincerest condolences to your family. Ann Simmons
- Ann Simmons, Jefferson, GA
farewell, to the eternal refreshment of a brother mason and Noble Fair Winds and following seas
- Grant Spooner, Lockport, IL
Sonny, was a friend of mine since 1968. Although we never worked together our paths crossed many times. I loved his stories about him and his father. He made me laugh and always encouraged me. We kept in touch with each other via emails and phone calls after we both retired. I enjoyed the old photos he would send me. I was looking forward to seeing him next week with ATFRA convention is in Savannah. I will miss him although we have not seen each other for 20 years.
- Gene Rightmyer, Loudon, TN
Sonny was a great guy and a RealAmerican. My condolences to his family, and God bless Sonny. Hope to see him when my time comes to cross over the Veil too.
- Frank Wandell, Roseville, CA.
A good man who will be sorely missed. My sincere condolences to Sonny's family and his other friends.
- Don Kincaid, Ashburn, VA
Great man with an unmatched resume of experiences and achievements.
- Jay Dobyns, Tucson, AZ
Linda, so sorry to hear about Sonny. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. I am here for you. Love you.
- Joan Shroyer, Tybee Island, GA
Our thoughts & prayers are with the Strickland family for the loss of their beloved Mr. Sonny Strickland. It was a privilege & a blessing to have known him. We will miss those bike rides through the neighborhood, the discussions of politics & the world state of affairs, the many fascinating stories shared about a long career he loved. He exhibited a special tenacity for life that was an inspiration to us. Thank you Mr. Strickland for being there for us & for loving us & allowing us to love you too. You will be sorely missed our dear sweet neighbor & friend & may you now rest in peace.
- Frances & Brian Covington, Savannah, Ga.
Lived Respected, Died Regretted
- Billy W Fields Jr, Savannah, GA
Sonny was well known, and well liked, among ATF special agents in the southeast region and other areas where he worked. He definitely was a legend and will be sorely missed by his many former work associates, family and friends. My deepest sympathy and sincerest condolences for his family. Laus Deo (praise be to God)
- David Barrineau, San Antonio, Texas
John, I'm so sorry for your loss. Your dad was a great man and I'm blessed to have known him. You're in my thoughts and prayers. Monica
- Monica Dorsey, Savannah, Ga
Linda, John, Family: Thinking of each one of you at this time and our sincere and deepest sympathy and love, remembering the best neighbor and friend anyone could have. As they say, he was the MOST to say the least. God bless.
- Peggy and Harold Stripling, Savannah, GA
I worked with Sonny in Florence, SC, and have tons of great memories, He was great to be around, he made an exciting job even more exciting. I am so sorry to we lost him.
- Pete Murphy, Mobile, Al
John and family, My condolences, prayers are with you and your family during this time. Cherish all the memories! LK
- Linda Kaapa, Savannah, GA
My condolences to the family upon learning of Sonny's passing. I had the pleasure of working with Sonny often throughout our career with ATF. He leaves us who knew him with many good memories of "our" time together.
- Ron Baughn, Lake City, FL
Dear Linda, Peggy and I were so saddened to hear of Sonny's passing. When he arrived in Americus and I first met him, I felt I was meeting someone who already was a legend in ATF. It was so good to see him in Savannah after he retired. George & Peggy Nowicki
- George Nowicki, Miami, Florida
Sonny brightened so many days with his mailings to me. I loved the humor, the politics, and the travel photos. I will miss him, and I can only imagine the sorrow his family feels at his passing. He was larger than life, and will be remembered by many people as a patriotic American. Cousin Diane
- Diane Strickland LeBlanc, Roanoke, VA
To the family of Sonny my deepest regrets and I share in your loss of Sonny. Best regards to all of the family Aggie
- Agatha McCullough, Savannah, GA
I worked with ATF in Atlana for a number of years and have fond memories of Sonny. He was such a nice man with a great smile and wonderful stories. My sincerest condolences to your family. Ann Simmons
- Ann Simmons, Jefferson, GA
farewell, to the eternal refreshment of a brother mason and Noble Fair Winds and following seas
- Grant Spooner, Lockport, IL
Sonny, was a friend of mine since 1968. Although we never worked together our paths crossed many times. I loved his stories about him and his father. He made me laugh and always encouraged me. We kept in touch with each other via emails and phone calls after we both retired. I enjoyed the old photos he would send me. I was looking forward to seeing him next week with ATFRA convention is in Savannah. I will miss him although we have not seen each other for 20 years.
- Gene Rightmyer, Loudon, TN
Sonny was a great guy and a RealAmerican. My condolences to his family, and God bless Sonny. Hope to see him when my time comes to cross over the Veil too.
- Frank Wandell, Roseville, CA.
A good man who will be sorely missed. My sincere condolences to Sonny's family and his other friends.
- Don Kincaid, Ashburn, VA
Great man with an unmatched resume of experiences and achievements.
- Jay Dobyns, Tucson, AZ
Linda, so sorry to hear about Sonny. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. I am here for you. Love you.
- Joan Shroyer, Tybee Island, GA
Our thoughts & prayers are with the Strickland family for the loss of their beloved Mr. Sonny Strickland. It was a privilege & a blessing to have known him. We will miss those bike rides through the neighborhood, the discussions of politics & the world state of affairs, the many fascinating stories shared about a long career he loved. He exhibited a special tenacity for life that was an inspiration to us. Thank you Mr. Strickland for being there for us & for loving us & allowing us to love you too. You will be sorely missed our dear sweet neighbor & friend & may you now rest in peace.
- Frances & Brian Covington, Savannah, Ga.
Lived Respected, Died Regretted
- Billy W Fields Jr, Savannah, GA
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
