Arney Lee Strickland Sr.

1930 ∼ 2016

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Arney Lee Strickland, Sr., 86, died December 7, 2016. He was born on January 1, 1930, in a rural community near Henderson, Texas, the twelfth of 13 children born to Maybell Wilson Strickland and Clarence Edgar Strickland.

Arney served in the U.S. Air Force, where he rose to the rank of First Lieutenant. While still in the Air Force, having attended navigation school, he was asked to stay on and teach navigation in Harlingen, Texas.

After military service, Arney received a BS, then a Master of Arts at Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas, in May, 1965. His PhD was awarded in May 1971 at Ball State University in Muncie Indiana. He returned to Lamar as chair of the English and Foreign Language Department, eventually retiring as Lamar University professor.

Arney and his wife Bobbie spent the 1980-81 year at Jilin University, Changchun, China, where they both taught. They spent two years in Malaysia, where Arney taught for the Texas International Education Consortium (TIEC) while on leave from Lamar University. After that, Arney taught in Morocco and served as a consultant for TIEC in the Arab Emirates.

In addition to his parents, Arney was preceded in death by his daughter, Elizabeth Ann (who died in infancy), and his twelve siblings. Arney is survived by his wife of 62 years, Bobbie Raye Strickland, their son Arney Lee Strickland, Jr., adopted son Xiao Qing Liu and his wife Keary, their sons Daniel and Evan, and many friends and relatives.

Arney was a member of Calder Baptist Church in Beaumont, Texas, to which those interested may give memorial gifts to the Music Scholarship Fund. A memorial service will be held at Calder Baptist Church on January 2, 2017, 11:00 a.m., with visitation at 10:00 a.m.

Condolences

Patrick Allen Wright April 23, 2019

Arney played a pivotal role in my choices at Lamar University. I became an English major because of his guidance. Arney enjoyed many of my poems, and this one he read and re-read many times over the years. Arney deserves much of the credit for my efforts to make this poem right. Point of View That patchwork sky, this morning pink, gives reason for tired eyes to rise and rush to see through windowed view that scene—that glory-colored wink of life with grace, God's given guise— allowed all folk, seen by too few. Nature, so charged, flames out the night, determined thus to open eyes, shows humankind a grander hue, that gift of God's creative light— ours to imbue. Patrick Allen Wright

Winfred S. Emmons Iii March 2, 2017

Arney, and Bobbie, were the greatest friends to my parents in their old age, and I will never forget the love they shared. Best wishes, Bobbie.

Susan Mallett December 27, 2016

Bobbie Raye and Lee, So very saddened to learn of your loss. You've always been in my heart and on my mind. My prayers and thoughts are with you. Love always, Susan (Morris) Mallett

Tim Summerlin December 13, 2016

Arney Strickland had a profound impact on me when I was a new instructor of English at Lamar in the 1970s. He was a good listener, warm and supportive in manner. He seldom raised his voice, but you knew when he stated something about which he felt strongly. I learned a great deal about working effectively with others by observing Arney. He came from rural East Texas, but he thought large, large. Thank you, Arney, for your big heart. Tim Summerlin

Wayne Seelbach December 13, 2016

Arney was always the consummate gentleman and scholar. Deepest sympathy to Bobbi and the family.

Claybar Funeral Home December 12, 2016

2 files added to the album Memories Album

Gwen Mercer December 9, 2016

Arney was the best! What you saw was what you got. What you heard was what he meant. A quirky sense of humor sometimes but you had to laugh. Wonderful mind. Zero affectation. Kind. What more can I say except that he was one of the sweetest, fairest persons I have known. Arney, you are loved and you will be missed. Rest assured, we have our arms around Bobbie. Love, Gwen