Mr. Loyd F. Strickland, 87, of Chestnut Mountain, GA., passed away on Friday, September 6, 2013 at his residence following an extended illness.
Mr. Strickland was born on October 22, 1925 in Chestnut Mountain, GA. where he has remained a lifelong resident. There he attended grammar school, graduating from Oakwood High School in 1943.
He was a member of Chestnut Mountain Presbyterian Church where he was a ruling elder (Emeritus) and taught an adult Sunday school class for many years. He served several terms with Mission to the World in the Presbyterian Church in America where he served on various committees. Mr. Strickland was instrumental in bringing Young Life, Inc. (a non-denominational youth Christian ministry) to Gainesville and Hall County, which is now in its 33rd year. Mr. Strickland was an original member of the Board of Directors for Eagle Ranch, where he most recently served as member Emeritus on the Board of Advisors.
Mr. Strickland founded the Loyd Strickland Foundation, Inc. where he served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees.
In 1947, Mr. Strickland founded and was Chairman/CEO of Crystal Farms, Inc. He was past president of the Georgia Hatchery Association and past Chairman of the Georgia Poultry Improvement Association. In 2000, he was named to the Hall County Agriculture Hall of Fame and in 2002, Mr. Strickland was inducted into the Georgia Egg Hall of Fame.
Mr. Strickland always had an active interest in his county, state and federal government and civic affairs. He was a former member of the Gainesville/Hall County Hospital Authority; former director of the Gainesville/Hall County Chamber of Commerce; and a member of the Hall County Industrial Development Authority. He was a former member of the State Highway Board of Georgia, having served during Governor Carl Sanders' administration. He also served as a former Trustee of Rabun Gap School.
He was a recipient of the Young Man of the Year Award in 1955 by the Gainesville Jaycees and a recipient of the Boy Scouts' Ralph Cleveland Distinguished Citizen award in 2001.
Mr. Strickland was a member of the Hall County Task Force in the early 1960s that obtained permission for the Board of Regents to build a junior college, which would later be named Gainesville State College, now known as the University of North Georgia. He served the school as a trustee for a number of years.
Mr. Strickland was also a key player in the development of Interstate 985, of which Exit 16 has been officially named the Loyd Strickland Interchange, in his honor.
Mr. Strickland is preceded in death by his parents, E.W. and Eva Elizabeth Luther Strickland; brother, Wiley Strickland; sister Irene Strickland; and his first wife, Katherine Rose Laws Strickland, to whom he was married for over fifty years.
Mr. Strickland is survived by his wife, Pamela K. Raymond Strickland; daughter and son in law, Diane and Doug Magnus; son, Matthew Strickland; granddaughters and spouses, Baya and Matt Pruitt, Brooke and Andy Kalinauskas; grandson and spouse, Matt and Bethany Magnus; great grandchildren, Parker, Emma Kate, Carson, Drew, Quinn, Evan, Mary Beth, Cameron and Mark. His deep faith in our risen savior, Jesus Christ and his limitless love for his family will remain as a constant influence in all their lives.
The family of Mr. Strickland would like to extend a special Thank You to his caregivers Judy Magnus, Rita Bell and Rose Mary Kelso for their loyal and faithful service.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 10, 2013 at Chestnut Mountain Presbyterian Church. Rev. John Batusic, Rev. Kennedy Smartt and Rev. Matt McGowan will officiate. Interment will be in Chestnut Mountain Presbyterian Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Little & Davenport Funeral Home on Monday September 9, 2013 from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. and from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers the family has requested donations be made to Eagle Ranch, P.O. Box 7200, Chestnut Mountain, GA 30502.
Those wishing to make online condolences may do so at www.littledavenport.com.
Little & Davenport Funeral Home, 355 Dawsonville Highway, S.W., Gainesville, Ga. 30501 is in charge of arrangements.
