James Thomas Strickland of Plano, TX passed away on December 10, 2022, at the age of 80.

James, known to many as "Jim", "Jim S.", "JT" or "Jamie", was born on December 15, 1941, in Canton, Mississippi, to Wilbur Thomas Strickland and Wilma Dean (Frazier) Strickland.  He grew up in Canton and Natchez, Mississippi, and graduated from Natchez High School in 1959.  After graduation, James went on to serve his country honorably as a Staff Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps, from 1961 - 1970, and the United States Air Force, from 1971 until his retirement in 1985 as a Senior Master Sergeant.  During his time in the Marine Corps, he served in Vietnam and received the Navy Achievement Award with Combat Valor.

James was a devout Christian.  His love of God and his desire to help guide and mentor others manifested in his career choices after his retirement from the Air Force.  He was the Program Director for the alcohol/drug treatment unit at Kingman Community Hospital in Kingman, KS from 1985 - 1987, Program Director for DCCCA from 1987 - 1992, administering drug/alcohol treatment for the Kansas Dept. of Corrections, and was a Probation Officer for the City of Wichita, Kansas, from 1992 - 1999.  In 1999, James relocated to Plano, Texas, and worked as the Director of Inmate Services for Dallas County Jail from 2000 until his retirement in 2011.  The number of people impacted by his wisdom and guidance will never be known, but his family takes comfort in the people that have reached out to express what an integral part he played in their recovery.

James loved to learn.  He received two Associate Degrees while serving in the Air Force, and received his Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice from Friends University in 1997.  He held multiple licenses and certifications in drug and alcohol counseling from KADACA and the Kansas Dept. Of Corrections.  At the time of his death, James was attending online classes in a variety of subjects, earning certificates in areas of study including theology, psychology, and history.

James loved his country, and he loved the Lord, but the greatest love of his life was his wife, Katherine Jean (Perkins) Strickland.  They met in 1966, after being set up on a date by Katherine's older brother, David.  Months later they were engaged and on May 28, 1966, the day after Katherine's eighteenth birthday, they married in Canton, Mississippi.  It is simply not possible to express in words the love shared between them, and the strength they each took from it, but when you saw it, you knew.  Their daughters, Sonya LeAnne Strickland (born 1972) and Marla Rebecca (Strickland) Watson (born 1977) are eternally grateful to have had such a loving and devoted father.  His impact on the women they've become cannot be overstated.  "His Girls" are grateful to have been there at the end of his time on this earth and even though there have been many tears, and probably many more to come, there has been so much laughter too - and for that we are grateful.  The greatest gift that James left to his family, was the knowledge that they were loved - intentionally and fiercely.  They are left with no questions and no regrets.  All is well with his soul.

In addition to his wife and daughters, James is survived by his son-in-law Robert Watson; grandchildren: Kolton, Joshua, Emma Watson and Alex Schultz; brother: Reginald "Reg" Strickland and wife Trish and numerous nieces and nephews.

James was preceded in death by his parents, and brother, Roger Dale Strickland.

A service to celebrate his life will be held on December 17, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. at The Cross Church, 100 N. First St. in Wylie, TX.  In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Disciples For Christ Prison Ministry at disciplesforchristoutreach.org, or to a recovery-based charity of your choice.