Mr. Earl Hartwell Strickland, Jr. 73, passed away Tuesday morning November 1, 2022, at the Suwannee Valley Care Center (Haven Hospice) in Lake City, FL following an extended illness. He is the son of the late Earl Hartwell and Joyce Long Strickland Sr. and is preceded in death by one sister Rebecca Strickland.

Earl made his home in Lake City for the past thirty-four years moving here from Ocoee, FL. He became a partner in and managed the Chrysler/Dodge and Honda dealerships in Lake City, FL for many years. After retiring from the new car industry his entrepreneurial spirit led him to open his own businesses including Strickland Automotive, Strickland Nursery, and Strickland RV. During his life, Earl enjoyed many pastimes including hunting, fishing, woodworking, and planting and growing trees and flowers in his greenhouse. His greatest enjoyment came from spending time with family and teaching his grandchildren to fish.

Earl is survived by his wife of seventeen years Lynda Strickland, Lake City, FL; one son Robert James "Jamie" Bullock, III (Rachael) Lake City, FL; four daughters Rebecca "Becky" Strickland Romea (Randy) Clermont, FL; Jennifer "Jen" Strickland Williamson (Aaron) Lake City, FL; Amy Strickland (Richard Hunter) Lake City, FL; and Jessica Wood (Justin) Branford, FL; three brothers Mike Strickland (Janie) Lenoir City, TN; Alec Strickland, Clermont, FL; and Ryan Strickland (Jodi) Geneva, FL; eleven grandchildren also survive.

A visitation with the family will be held Friday, November 11, 2022, from 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. at Gateway-Forest lawn Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family asked that donations be made to Haven Hospice 6037 West US HWY 90 Lake City, FL. Gateway-Forest Lawn Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements. 3596 South US HWY 441 Lake City, FL 32056