Elmo Benjamin "Ben" Strickland, 78, of Fitzgerald, Georgia died Sunday, September 16, 2012, at the Life Care Center in Fitzgerald.
Graveside services will be held at 11 AM Friday, September 21, 2012, at Carver Church Cemetery in Coffee County with the Rev. Dr. Lloyd Stembridge officiating. The family will receive friends Thursday evening from 7-9 at the funeral home in Fitzgerald.
Mr. Strickland was born March 5, 1934 in Coffee County to the late Elmo B. Strickland and Rachel McClelland Strickland. He served in the Georgia National Guard. He was also a retired truck driver and was a Herpetologist at Okefenokee Swamp Park. Mr. Strickland lived in the community most of his life.
He is survived by his son: Byron & Arlene Strickland of Lakeland, Georgia; daughter: Variee & Mark VanLaningham of Wilmore, Kentucky; four grandchildren: Celia Strickland, Rachel VanLaningham, Matthew VanLaningham and Luke VanLaningham; one brother William “Bill” Strickland of New Market, Virginia and sister-in-law Quellanette Strickland of Fitzgerald. Along with his parents he was preceded in death by his brother Bob Strickland.
The family suggests those desiring to send memorials to please mail them to American Cancer Society, ATT: Marci Cleghorn, 599 Ten Mile Road, Fitzgerald, GA 31750.