Ferman L. ‘Strick’ Strickland

Ferman L. “Strick” Strickland peacefully passed Feb. 13, 2014, at the Alaska Veterans and Pioneers Home in Palmer.

He was born in Norman, Texas, May 15, 1926.

He and his family came to the Valley in the early ’40s. He served in the U.S. Army in the sled dog unit. He worked at Jonesville Mine and always had a great love for music.

He married Eileen Venne in 1950 and they had a daughter, Penny.

They moved to Anchorage in the mid-1950s and started a freight service, Aurora Delivery.

He had a country-western band called Strick and the String Alongs. They played many places around the Valley in the 1950s and 1960s.

He moved to Greensward Subdivision — “The Stump Farm” — in 1980 and became an advocate for his community, receiving many awards for his work.

Preceding him in death was his daughter, Penny; stepson, Mike; and Eileen Venne.

Surviving are his granddaughter, Juanita Ehresman and her children Kyle, Laney and Savanah; stepdaughter, Tanya Holeman and her children Raven and Rainy; stepdaughter, Katherine Hartley and her children Tommy, Tammy, Jennifer and Jessica; and Betty Caulkins, whom he loved like a daughter.

A special thanks to all his friends, extended family and caregivers who helped him so much through the years.

A memorial service is planned in June and will be announced later.