Bobby Joe Strickland

Bobby Joe Strickland went to be with the Lord on Oct. 18, 2014. He was born in Hazelhurst, Miss. on Oct. 13, 1933. He was the son of George Henry and Gladys Strickland and twin brother to Billy. Bobby attended school in Schulenburg and graduated from Schulenburg High School in 1951. During high school, Bobby was active in football and track. He went on to attend The University of Texas in Austin for two years. This was followed by two years of service in the U.S. Army, where he was stationed in the Panama Canal Zone. On June 30, 1957, Bobby married his sweetheart, Lucille Ann Blume, in La Grange. Bobby and Lucille started a family with Sandra Denise in 1958, Rhonda Kay in 1960, Vicki 

Lynn in 1962 and Scott Alan in 1965. Bobby worked with his dad at Strickland Services for a number of years, eventually

taking over the company along with his brother, Billy. After nearly forty years of working in plumbing, electrical, air  conditioning, appliance, backhoe and pump service business, Bobby took a job at IMCO. Ten years later he was forced to retire due to his health. Bobby was active in the Schulenburg Volunteer Fire Department, Schulenburg Festival Association and Jaycees. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Schulenburg. Bobby is survived by his wife of 57 years, Lucille Strickland; daughters – Sandra Mendel and husband Alan, of Schulenburg; son – Scott Strickland and wife Pam, of Austin; grandchildren – Katie Krupala and husband John, of Richmond; Morgan Srubar of Austin; Tyler Srubar of Buda; Eric Schrader of Little Rock; Shelley Mendel, Trish Mendel, Hollie Schrader and Shane Mendel of Schulenburg; and Briana Strickland and Allyssa Strickland of Austin; brother – Billy Strickland and wife Agnes, of Schulenburg; sisters-in-law – Deborah Blume of La Grange; and Lora Blume Penney and husband Thom, of Austin; niece – Teri Guentert and husband Clinton, of Schulenburg; and nephews – Steve Strickland and wife Debbie; and Jason Strickland and wife Janice, all of Schulenburg. He is also survived by four greatnieces and two great-nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents – George Henry and Gladys Strickland; his wife’s parents – Walter and Allyne

Blume; and granddaughter – Beth Mendel. Visitation and a Fireman’s Memorial Service was held on the evening of Oct. 20. A Celebration of Bobby’s Life was held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2014 at the First United Methodist Church in Schulenburg.  Rev. Mark Adams officiated the service. Six of Bobby’s granddaughters read scripture, the eulogy and a poem. A special letter entitled, “The Dad I Knew”, was written by Bobby’s son and read by his daughter-in-law. His oldest granddaughter followed with a memorial tribute to her grandpa that she wrote. The Schulenburg Volunteer Fire Department provided an escort to the graveside service at the Old High Hill Cemetery. Military services were conducted by the Schulenburg American Legion and VFW. Pallbearers were grandsons – Tyler Srubar, Eric Schrader, Shane Mendel and John Krupala; and nephews – Steve Strickland, Jason Strickland and Clinton Guentert. The family requests memorial contributions be made to the First United Methodist Church in Schulenburg, Schulenburg Volunteer Fire Department or a charity of one’s choice. Schwenke-Baumgarten Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.