James "Jim" Harper Strickland, age 87, went home to heaven on the evening of July 27, 2025 at 10:28pm at Sunrise at North Hills in Raleigh, NC. Jim was born on May 22, 1938 in Selma, NC and was the son of the late Percy and Rebecca Strickland. He was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Ann Strickland, just 5 months ago. He is survived by his children Jennifer Strickland, James Strickland and wife Lori, Doug Strickland and wife Karen, Jason Strickland, and his grandchildren Sam, Harper, Ty, and Page.

Jim was a beloved husband, father and grandfather. Jim met his cherished wife, Ann, at the age of 16. Jim was a very good basketball player at Selma High School and Ann was a beautiful cheerleader at rival Smithfield High School. They were married at the age of 19 and had a wonderful life together. Jim attended Campbell College while pursuing a degree in business and served in the US Army National Guard. Jim went on to have a rewarding and successful career in the oil industry working for Swan Oil and Koch Fuels for the majority of his career.

Jim loved his family and was a wonderful and devoted father and grandfather. His family never doubted his love for them and he provided very well for them. Jim was a dedicated Christian and loved the Lord. He was a faithful member of Bay Leaf Baptist Church in Raleigh, NC. Prior to moving to Raleigh, Jim served as a deacon at Southside Baptist Church in Wilmington, NC. Jim will be missed greatly by his family and those that knew and loved him. However, great comfort is taken in knowing he is in heaven with the Lord and reunited with his wife, Ann, whom he missed terribly, along with other loved ones that had gone on before him.

Funeral service will take place Saturday, August 2, 2025, at 2:00pm in the chapel of Parrish Funeral Home. The family will receive visitors one hour prior to the service, beginning at 1:00pm. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Park in Smithfield.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Bay Leaf Baptist Church, 12200 Bayleaf Road, Raleigh NC 27614 ( www.bayleaf.org ) or to NC Down Syndrome Alliance at www.ncdsalliance.org.