Nello Strickland Jr.

Nello Strickland, Jr., 87, of Brenham and a native of Somerville, passed away peacefully at his home Monday evening, January 6, 2020.

Funeral services 2:00 PM, Saturday, January 11, 2020, from the Strickland Funeral Home in Somerville with Rev. Henry Sanders and Rev. Joe Emerson officiating. Graveside services and interment follow at Oaklawn Cemetery in Somerville under the auspices of the Campbell-Williams VFW Post #4458 in Caldwell. He will lie in state at 12:00 PM until 2:00 PM, prior to the funeral service. Visitation will begin after 4:00 PM Thursday, January 9, 2020, and the family will receive friends on Friday, January 10, 2020 from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM at Memorial Oaks Chapel in Brenham. A prayer service will conclude the visitation at 7:00 PM led by Rev. Joseph Polasek and Rev. Michael Groseclose.

Nello Strickland, Jr. was born December 17, 1932 in Somerville and was baptized April 9, 1933 at the Somerville Methodist Church. He was a 1950 graduate of Somerville High School. An active basketball and baseball athlete, he attended Blinn College and Sam Houston State University. He was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team reporting to the Houston Buffs in 1953 on the Monday after he married the love of his life, Dorothy Jane Moerbe. They married March 8, 1953, at Grace Lutheran Church in Brenham. Within a month, he received a higher draft notice to serve in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He achieved the rank of corporal while serving two years. While stationed in El Paso, he was confirmed in the Lutheran faith on May 5, 1954.

After coming home from service, he worked as a painter for the Hughes Lumber Company in Somerville and then attended Commonwealth College of Mortuary Science in Houston graduating with honors in 1958. He served 60 years in the funeral profession and received his 50-year service recognition in 2009. He was the past President and General Manager of Strickland Funeral Home in Somerville, past President and General Manager of Wilbert Burial Vault Company of Louisiana, past Vice President and Director of Sales for Wilbert Funeral Services in Plaquemine, LA and retired as the General Manager of the Brenham Monument Company. During the many years, he had a passion for church ministry and missions. He became an ordained minister serving with Faith Outreach Mission Center and later in the Unity of the Brethren Church. He served as pastor of the Wesley Brethren Church and enjoyed serving as a supply pastor for several Brethren Church congregations including Industry, Vsetin, Snook, Caldwell, Dime Box, Fayetteville and Houston Westheimer.

He was a past member of the American Legion Posts in Somerville and Brenham and served as Chaplain in Brenham. He served as a board member of the Brazos Valley Emmaus Community. He was a member of SPJST and served as president of the Brenham Lodge. He enjoyed beautifying his yard with wild flowers, fountains and rocked pathways. He planned family events always giving to others especially “door prizes” for those in attendance. His caring adventurous spirit, knack of building up organizations and storytelling personality were always promoting the best of his family and serving others. He is preceded in death by his parents, Nello, Sr. and Ruth Strickland; parents-in-law, Eric and Dorothy Moerbe; Sisters-in-law and Brothers-in-law, Josephine Strickland; Warren and Dodie Moerbe; Eric, Jr. and Toni Moerbe; Jerry Moerbe; Billy and Louise Moerbe.

His family includes his wife of 66 years, Dorothy (Moerbe) Strickland of Brenham; (3) sons, Kim Strickland and wife Sherry of Bryan; Nello (Trey) Strickland III of Brenham; Donie Strickland and wife Sheri of Magnolia; (6) grandchildren, Mark Tyson and wife Kristen; Nancy Nicole Strickland; Victoria Ruth Strickland and husband Allan Velazquez; Rachel Feibus and husband Mike; Nathan Strickland and wife Maranice; Lyla Daugherty. (11) great-grandchildren; (1) brother, Don L. Strickland of Somerville; (2) sisters-in-law, Mary Ann Luce; Tilly Harrison and husband Jack, all of Brenham. A number of nieces, nephews, other relatives and a host of dear friends who are meaningful to his life.

Memorials may be made to any church mission program or the donor’s favorite charity. His nephews and other family members will serve as pallbearers.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel in Brenham and Strickland Funeral Home in Somerville.

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