Harry Eugene Strickland

Harry Eugene Strickland, age 83, of Tennille, passed away Wednesday, July 23, 2025, at Washington County Extended Care Facility after a brief illness. Harry, son of the late Roscoe Nicholas Strickland and the late Hazel Earle (Bryson) Strickland, was born on a U.S. Forestry Reserve in Whitmire, South Carolina. During his childhood, Harry lived in Whitmire, South Carolina, Tellico Plains, Tennessee, and Savannah, Georgia. Harry’s family moved to Washington County to follow his father’s business endeavors during his early life. As a teenager, Harry worked alongside his father, “Strick,” in the logging industry. He was extremely fond of his memories logging the Cleo Archer tract, known as the “Duck Roost,” with his father in the 1950’s. Harry attended Gordon Military College in Barnsville, Georgia, for a short time, and later transferred to Washington County High School. This is where Harry met the love of his life, Mary Ann Alexander. They married shortly after graduating from the first consolidated Washington County High School class in 1960. Harry joined the United States Air Force after graduation and served his country for the next three years. He was stationed primarily in Newfoundland and was honorably discharged three months before Vietnam. During this period, Harry and Mary Ann celebrated the birth of their first two children, Keith and Lori. After returning home from the Air Force, Harry enrolled in Valdosta State College and obtained a bachelor’s degree in biology. While enrolled in college, Harry worked full time as a lab technician to support his wife and family. Following graduation, Harry and his family relocated to Albany, Georgia, where he worked in the laboratory at Firestone Chemical. While living in Albany, Harry and Mary Ann completed their family with the birth of their last child, Kathryn. In the early 1970’s, Harry relocated his family to Lake City, Florida, where he began his career at the Veterans Administration Hospital. He started as a laboratory technician and was quickly promoted to a managerial role. He remained there until 1996 when he and his wife returned to Washington County, Georgia in order to be closer to family. At that time, Harry transferred to the Carl Vinson Veterans Administration Hospital in Dublin, Georgia where he worked as the Laboratory Director until his retirement. Harry was a loving husband, father, brother, grandfather, and friend. His family was his greatest joy in life. He was an avid outdoorsman and possessed a great knowledge of hunting, fishing, and gardening. Harry took great pride in sharing his skills and knowledge with family and friends. He was the president of Missions Trail Shooting Club, an NRA certified training instructor, and a member of Buck Island Hunting Club while in Lake City, Florida. Harry was a proud member of Tennille Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon. He also served on the Zeta Cemetery Committee.

Harry’s wife, Mary Ann Strickland; son, Keith Allen Strickland; and brother, Bobby C. Strickland, preceded him in death. Survivors are; his children, Lori Anne Clark and her husband Bradley Clark of Statham, Georgia and Kathryn Barker and her husband Dan Barker of Sandersville; grandchildren, Lindsey Phelan, Sean Strickland, Elizabeth Strickland, Kristina Edens, Steven Ebelsheiser, Grace Ann Barker, and John Clayton Barker; six great grandchildren; one great great grandson; brother, Butch Strickland of Tennille, Georgia; sister, Becky Lang of Chesterfield, Virginia; and his beloved dog and constant companion, Boo Boo.

Visitation will be held on Friday, August 8th, at 10:00 a.m. at the Tennille Baptist Church in Tennille, Georgia. A brief memorial service will follow immediately afterwards at 11:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked for any donations to be made to Tennille Baptist Church or to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Please leave an online condolence at mayandsmithfuneraldirectors.com

May and Smith Funeral Directors is in charge of these arrangements.