A celebration of a remarkable life for Thomas Harold "Tommy" Strickland, age 78, a perfect gentleman, of Longview, will be held at 12 noon on Tuesday, May 20, 2014, at Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home Chapel in Carthage with Pastor Charles Chargois of Calvary Tabernacle in Longview and Rev. Harold Gunstanson of Princeton officiating. Entombment will follow in Deadwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. until service time on Tuesday at the funeral home. Mr. Strickland passed away on Saturday morning, May 17, 2014, in Longview.

Thomas Harold Strickland was born on Aug. 7, 1935, in Henderson, TX to the late Reagan Forrest and Bessie Irene Strickland. He graduated from Henderson High School with the class of 1953. Tommy entered the U.S. Army on Dec. 6, 1954, serving his country in Germany for 2 years. He served in the reserves until Dec. 5, 1962. Mr. Strickland worked for Eastman Kodak for 35 years until his retirement in 1991. Tommy was of the Pentecostal faith and was a member of Calvary Tabernacle. When Tommy married Joyce, he became the father of three precious young children. He has loved them unconditionally. He later raised Chris Maddox, the first grandson, as his very own. In 1996, he and Billie were married. They spent many years traveling until Parkinson's disease became his constant companion. Mr. Strickland was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Joyce Ann Perkins; five siblings; and a son-in-law, Stan Hobbs.

Mr. Strickland is survived by his loving wife, Billie Farmer Stroud of Longview, who was a wonderful caregiver who never left his side; sister, Maxine Smith and husband Gordon of Granbury; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Nellie and Bill Simmons and three nephews of Keithville, LA; Jerry Perkins of Kilgore, Jayne Hobbs, and Jim and Julie Patterson all of Longview; eight grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

Serving as pallbearers are Keith, Bradley, and Will Simmons, and Jim, Josh, and Cory Patterson. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Rev. R.P. Bell, Gene Hogg, Virgil McDaniel, Jim Goodson, Charles Roethke, Charles Campbell, Roger Black, and Don Camp.

Special thanks to the family for your love and support. Also, thanks to Mary from Summit Sitters, Paulette Powell, LVN, and personal friend, Marilyn Black for their constant concern and loving care. Many thanks and appreciation to our Pastor and Sister Chargois, our church family, and especially the 70-plus group at Calvary Tabernacle. You all have made this journey easier. Thank you all for the many cards, calls, prayers, and your love. God bless all of you for your love and support.

A guestbook may be signed online at www.jimerson-lipsey.com.