James Russell Strickland, Sr. “Capt”, 99, of Swainsboro, Georgia and formerly of Savannah, Georgia, husband of Judy Sue Weeks Boldin Strickland, died Sunday morning July 9, 2023.
Mr. Strickland was born in Clyde, Georgia in Bryan County. He was a son of the late James Henry Strickland and the late Margaret Cleo Lowery Strickland. Mr. Strickland attended Oak Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in Kite, Georgia and was a longtime member of Bible Baptist Church in Savannah. He was a United States Navy veteran having served in World War II on the “Liberty Ships” – the Ralph A. Cram, the James B. Francis, the John Langdon, and the John Carter Rose. He was later assigned to the Seabees during the Pacific Campaign for the remainder of the war. Upon discharge, Mr. Strickland joined the Navy Reserves and was later recalled during the Korean War where he was stationed in San Diego.
Upon return to Savannah, Mr. Strickland started with Atlantic Towing Company (now Moran Shipping) as a deck hand and worked his way through the ranks to Tugboat captain, then Engineer, before retiring as a Docking Pilot after 37 years. During this time, he also started Sea-Land Communications where he erected and dismantled communication towers, which he continued doing up into his 70s. He was also the owner of Lightning Electronics. He was an owner-operator and retired from Horizon Freight Lines. He was a member of Thunderbolt #693 F. & A. M and American Legion Post 103 in Swainsboro. He and Judy loved traveling and spending time on the back porch enjoying the outdoors and spending time with their family and friends.
In addition to his parents, he was proceeded in death by his first wife of 60 years, Annie Barbee Strickland; one sister, Nita Strickland Wilkins; one brother Robert Kirkendall; son, James R. “Jimmy” Strickland, Jr; and his son-in-law, Jeffery Smith.
Survivors include his wife of 15 years, Judy Sue Weeks Boldin Strickland of Swainsboro; daughters Suzanne S. Smith of Savannah and Susan Boldin Brown (Larrell) of Swainsboro; daughter-in-law Susie Smith of Savannah; and son James Clark of Swainsboro; five grandchildren, Nicholas Strickland (Sue), Luke Smith (Katherine), Benjamin Smith, Kyle Quinn and Danielle Williams; six great-grandchildren, Ethan Williams, Kinsley Nicole Waldrop, Kimi Anna Strickland, Luke James Smith, Aislin Smith, Alice Victoria Strickland, and Gabby; one brother Henry Kirkendall, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, July 11 from 4 to 6 at Oak Chapel Missionary Baptist Church with services to follow. Visitation in Savannah will be Friday July 14 at Gamble Funeral Service from 11:30 to 12:30 followed by graveside services with military honors, at Forest Lawn Memory Gardens at 1:00 pm.
Remembrances can be made to the Oak Chapel Building Fund, c/o Tim Garrett, 461 Blundale Church Road, Swainsboro, GA 30401.
Special thanks to Dr. Prasad, Brittany, and the wonderful staff of Pruett Hospice, and all the nurses and staff of Emanuel Medical Center.