Lonnie Kent Strickland

Lonnie Kent Strickland, Sr. passed away Sunday August 11, 2019, at the Grandview Hospice at the age of 80. Cremation has taken place under the care of O’Connor Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, August 20 at Central Assembly, 2000 Central Ave at 11:00 a.m. Lonnie will be laid to rest the following day with military honors at Fort Harrison in Helena at 11:00 a.m. Lonnie was born in West Palm Beach, Florida, on October 13, 1938, to Lonnie Gerome and Clarice Ogle Strickland. He joined his older sister, Joann. After High School he entered the U.S. Navy where he served as a Lineman in the Construction Battalion responsible for the assembly of the Mercury Telecommunications Towers down the coast of Africa. On August 20, 1960, he married Judith Likes in West Palm Beach. Lonnie and Judy have two sons, Rusty, born in September of 1961 and Dennis born in February of 1968. In 1972, they moved their family to Great Falls where Lonnie was employed by the Montana Power Company until 2000. Lonnie enjoyed golf, fishing, and visiting historical sites and museums. Lonnie is survived by his wife of 59 years; sons, Rusty (Jacquie) Strickland and Dennis Strickland; and grandchildren Tyler, Cole, Shannon, and Daniel.