James Edward "Jim" Strickler

James Edward “Jim” Strickler, 80, died on Monday, April 21, 2025, at his home. A lifelong resident of the Fordtown community, Jim was born on December 1, 1944, at Holston Valley Hospital in Kingsport, Tennessee, to David Virgil Strickler, Sr. and wife Rosie Ellen Wheelock Strickler.

Jim attended Miller Perry Elementary School and Colonial Heights Middle School and graduated from Holston High School. He also attended East Tennessee State University before becoming employed by the United States Postal Service, from which he retired.

Jim was a member of Fordtown Baptist Church from his youth.

Jim was an avid automotive enthusiast in adulthood. He supported his nephews in their endeavors with Strickler Racing and enjoyed restoring cars and attending auto shows with special friends Buddy Zimmerman and Fred Feathers.

Jim also enjoyed raising animals and working outdoors on the farm.

In addition to his parents, Jim was predeceased by his brother, Jerry Strickler; his sister-in-law, Linda Strickler; and his nephew, Warren Strickler.

Jim is survived by his brother, David V. Strickler, Jr. (Cookie Wyatt); his sister-in-law, Dana Ruth Strickler; nephews, Aaron (Jenny) Strickler, Michael Strickler (Constantina Boudouvas), and Mark Strickler (Frank Flanigan); great-nephews, Zachery Strickler, Jacob Strickler, Lukas Strickler, and Nicholas Strickler; great-nieces, Anastasia Strickler, Eleni Rose Strickler, and Sarah Constance Strickler; and several cousins.

Always willing to help out a person in need, Jim will be remembered by family and friends for his kind-heartedness and generosity of spirit. In that spirit, in lieu of flowers, contributions in Jim’s memory are encouraged to the charity of one’s choice.

A graveside service will be conducted on Friday, April 25, 2025, at 2 p.m. at Eastern Star Freewill Baptist Cemetery. All are welcome.