Jack Strickland was born on February 23, 1935, in Montgomery, Alabama. He stepped into his eternal home on October 10. 2023.
He served four years in the U.S. Navy from 1953 to 1957 and served in the Korean Conflict. After completion of military service, he was married to Rochelle Koski of Scofield, UT, on June 8, 1957, in Provo, Utah.
He and his bride then moved to Montgomery, Alabama, where he served as a police officer in the Montgomery Police Department from 1958 to 1967. Strickland was called into full-time ministry in 1967 and attended Baptist Bible College in Springfield from 1967 to 1970. Upon arrival at college, he established the college security force and was known by the campus students as “Deputy Dog.”
His years of ministry included being associate Pastor at Perry Hill Road Baptist Church, Montgomery, AL, 1970 – 1971, pastor at Calera Bible Baptist Church, Calera, AL, 1971 – 1974, organized and pastored at Lighthouse Bible Baptist Church, Cape Girardeau, MO. 1974 – 1991, and pastor at North Valley Baptist Church, Phoenix, AZ, 1991 until his retirement in February 2005. During his ministry in Phoenix, he was a member of the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Executive Posse and served as a chaplain.
Prior to retirement, he built a home in Arizona City, AZ, with a “BIG” shop where he spent most of his time making furniture and all sorts of crafts, which he shared with all his neighbors and friends. He also planted his “Southern Garden,” containing his favorites of okra, squash, tomatoes, cucumbers, and such. From 2010 to 2012, he was a Chaplain at the Arizona Department of Public Safety, Casa Grande District. He was a member of Heavens View Baptist Church in Arizona City, AZ.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Rochelle; son Matt of Elkmont, AL; daughter Janelle of Jackson, MO; four grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren, Madyson.