James Barry Strickland

Jim Strickland, Sr. passed away May 3, 2018 at the age of 74 surrounded by his loving family. Jim was born in Portland, Oregon on December 25, 1943 earning him the distinction of Oregon’s first Christmas baby that year. Jim lived in Pomeroy, Ohio (his father’s hometown) with his mother (Lucille) and his father’s family while his father (Dayton) served in the European Theater during WWII. After the war, the family relocated to Portland and Jim spent the remainder of his life in the Portland area. Most of those years were spent in SW Portland. He attended Terwilliger School where he made many lifelong friends. Jim attended Lincoln High School and graduated in 1962. In high school, Jim was an athlete in both football and wrestling. He belonged to the social club “Lords”. Jim was also voted “best build” of his graduating class. After high school Jim was an amateur boxer for a time. In 1964 Jim joined the Oregon Army National Guard where he served for 7 years. In 1964 after Army basic training, Jim returned to his previous job at Geo. L. Routledge Company, a garden and flower shop. Jim worked in various roles at the shop. It was here that he met the love of his life and future wife Mary Elizabeth Cerotsky. Jim joined the Post Office as a Letter Carrier in 1966. Jim and Mary wed in January of 1967. The happy couple started a family with son Jim, Jr. being born in 1969 and daughter Jenni arriving in 1973. Jim was a Letter Carrier for 37 years in Portland’s West Hills. Over the years Jim developed great rapport and relationships with his customers. On many occasions he went above and beyond the job description to assist those that lived on his routes. Multiple times over the years his customers expressed their appreciation for Jim and his numerous good deeds. Jim is remembered as incredibly generous, loving, witty and funny. He was known for his honesty, integrity and loyalty. Jim always believed in speaking his mind. That said, you always knew where you stood with Jim. Jim had an amazing ability to recount stories sharing facts in specific detail all the while making you laugh. His love and respect for animals was obvious by his rescuing of pets and helping lost or stranded animals. His family was the center of his life and focus. His favorite pastime was spending time with his family. The family has many great memories of road trips, watching sports, time together on the Willamette and Columbia Rivers and many, many trips around the Northwest. During his life Jim taught his children many values. Family was always central. Honesty, integrity, hard work, perseverance, loyalty, tolerance and “sticking up for the little guy” are just a few of the principles that he taught. His children try to honor his legacy by teaching these philosophies to their own children. Jim had a quiet but strong faith in God. Jim is preceded in death by his parents, Dayton and Lucille Strickland; sister Janet Elliott; Father-in-law Lawrence Certosky and Mother-in-law Irene Cerotsky. Jim is survived by his wife Mary of 51 years; Son Jim and his wife Terri; Grandsons Michael and Matthew; Daughter, Jenni Carey and her husband Jim; Granddaughters Abbie, Darcie, Gracie and Grandson Brady; his Brothers-in-law Lary Cerotsky and his wife Molly; Gary Cerotsky and his wife Joyce; numerous nieces and nephews; and his Aunt Pandora Collins of Pomeroy, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate any contribution you wish to make to either the American Cancer Society, the American Diabetes Association or the American Heart Association.