Donald Strickland Obitwaryo | Chattanooga Times Free Press

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Donald William Strickland, of Signal Mountain, Tenn., Died Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021, at age 74, another victim of Agent Orange.

Don grew up in Gainesville, Ga. After graduating from South Hall High School, Class of ’65, he briefly attended the University of Georgia. Don was in a rock and roll band, and he preferred that experience to studying. His most memorable gigs were backing up The Drifters and The Tams.

Don joined the United States Marine Corps and completed recruiting training in Parris Island, SC Within a year, he was accepted to the Officer Candidate School in Quantico, Va., And shortly before his 21st birthday, was assigned he as Second Lieutenant. Within three years, he would attain the rank of Captain. Don served in the Vietnam War from 1969-1970, and for his service he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal (with combat “V”), the Air Medal (numbered 5, which denotes more than 100 combat missions as a Naval Aerial Observer), and the Combat Action Ribbon. Don is proud of the fact that he was one of the few Marines to be awarded the Air Medal and Combat Action Ribbon in the Vietnam War.

After his release from active duty, Don earned an undergraduate degree from Georgia State University and a law degree from the University of Tennessee. He practiced law in Chattanooga for 35 years. He trained for six years at Southeast Tennessee Legal Services and for 29 years with Grant, Konvalinka, and Harrison.

During retirement, Don loved to travel with his wife and best friend, Sandy McCrea. They were fortunate to have traveled extensively in the contiguous United States and in Alaska, Canada, Hawaii, South America, Caribbean islands (including Cuba), Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and Southeast Asia. They even traveled to Vietnam, where Don promised on more than one occasion never to return.

Don is temporarily active in community theater, primarily at the Signal Mountain Playhouse, but also at the Chattanooga Theater Center. She has appeared in Harvey, Leading Ladies, Something’s Afoot, Don’t Dress For Dinner, We’re No Angels, Annie, The Music Man (twice), Annie Get Your Gun, Oliver !, The Wizard of Oz, and more.

Don is survived by his wife, Sandy McCrea; his sons, Douglas Strickland (Lindsey Lewis) and William Strickland; brother, Dr. Daniel Strickland (Karen) of Warrensville, NC; sisters, Debbie Lyter of Oakwood, GA, and Dianne Smith (Jeff) of Buford, GA. He was preceded in death by his mother, Doris Elise Wyant.

Don decided to renounce military funeral honors and confine his ashes in the National Cemetery. Instead of the traditional rifle salute and the playing of Taps, Don hopes his family and friends will salute him with a drink (or two) of their choice. Don regrets that he can’t return the salute.

A gathering of friends and family will be held to remember Don on a date to be determined.

No flowers, please. A contribution to Metropolitan Ministries was proposed as an alternative.

Arrangements are at the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory, and Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson, TN 37343. Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com

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