Paul Alan Strickland

My heartfelt thoughts and prayers continue to be with you. Cara

Love you dad

My deepest sympathy to the Strickland Family. My thanks to Mr. Strickland for his many years of service to the School District of Indian River County.

Miss you little Bro

I never knew Paul, but I know Dotty! So he must have been a special man! I know Dotty will miss him, and I also know she is blessed to have wonderful kids and great friends who will help her through this challenging time and keep Paul’s memory as she moves forward. Love you, Dotty! Jan

I’m saddened to read this. Mr. Strickland was the teacher that I was an intern for at Vero Beach Elementary in 1996. He was a delight to work with and I learned so very much from him while working in his classroom which he would quickly remind me was now “my” classroom while I was there. He was generous with praise and kind with constructive feedback. He would laugh and tell me you are spoiling my students using all these fun projects and stations to learn. I built the White House out of cardboard in his room and students documented White House history and wrote reports about the Presidents. We did archaeological digs in the playground while reading about archaeologist and what they learned studying artifacts. He would laugh and tell me he was not burying stuff in the playground on an early morning in the future. I have seen him just a handful of times over those many years and he would always have a sheepish grin and tell me it was so good to see me and he knew I was still teaching. We would reminisce and he would laugh. He was so very proud of his own family. My father passed away just a few years before I graduated and Mr. Strickland, Paul, wrote a lovely note to me. He expressed that he knew that my father would be so very proud of me and that I should know that my dad would be looking down from Heaven and smiling the day I graduated from college. He gave me a very nice pen set that I used for many years during my first decade or so of teaching. I will think of him fondly forever. This year, I will complete my 25th year teaching and I started as an intern in his classroom at VBE. I can’t think of any better start. I know as an educator, he has blessed many interns and students. His legacy will live on in all of those that knew him. I send warm sympathies to his family.

I will miss you in so many ways.I’m thankful for all of the memories we have and I’ll treasure them. I’ll never forget your smile and how much you loved us all. I’ll especially miss your welcoming hugs and our long conversations when we visit. Miss you already Papa Paul. I love you! Rest peacefully.

Paul was my brother-in-law for 41 years and we are going to miss him so very much! Praying for my sister, Dotty, and the entire extended family for God’s loving comfort and peace to rest on them and for His grace to walk through the grieving process. ❤️

I’ll miss you always brother! Love you.

Paul was a friend who I got to talk about recipes and politics! You will be missed and to know you are out of pain I’d a blessing. ❤️ Loretta Kaul

Paul will be forever alive in your heart through all the memories you have shared. Sending you love and prayers to comfort you during this most difficult time.

We send our condolences and prayers to the Strickland family. He was an amazing teacher here at Vero Beach Elementary School. My daughter, Yolanda Buckner will always remember him, “He truly changed her life”.

What can you possibly say to the love of your life of 41 years. Paul you were the best. You were an awesome father and husband . You always had your priorities straight. Your kids Nicole Melissa and Chad were your world along with me and your grandchildren.. thank you for our life. I am the most blessed woman in the world. Love all my family and friends for helping me through this. Love you, Paul Strickland

I guess I’m not finishedPaul, you were so many things to me. Your were and will always be my boyfriend, my best friend, and the best husband ever. I thought of something funny this morning. I thought wouldn’t it be cool if there were cell phones in heaven? But then I thought well then, I’d be SOL because you were the only person on the planet that didn’t text.love you forever and I know you’re our guardian Angel looking out for me, Nicole and Steve, Melissa , Chad and Cheryl. And all your grandkids, all your siblings and in laws you’re going to be busy.

Dotty,We are so sorry for the loss of your beloved husband and also to your entire family for their loss. May all beautiful memories fill your hearts with love and help to bring you comfort. The Rice family loved you as our children’s teacher at Glendale. Our Deepest Sympathy, Jody & Allen along with Katie, Jared & Alison Rice.

My sympathies to Dotty and the entire Strickland family. Love you Paul. your brother John

Dotty, much love and prayers to you, Nicole, Melissa and Chad you are Paul’s world he loved and was so proud of you all. I will cherish and keep close at heart our reunion as a Dean family after so many years. I will miss Paul’s voice when he called to check on us especially after snowstorms and would ask why the heck I was on a ladder cleaning snow out of the gutters. Paul could not understand when we were in the hospital together after Mom died I couldn’t remember asking for peanut butter and jelly sandwiches but I always said who am I at 3 years old to question a big brother of 5 years old. A memory of the two of us he kept over so many years I will always find endearing. We are so blessed to have had our children get to know their Uncle Paul. So hard to write this with so many tears but know you are in a peaceful place with many loved ones surrounding you. Miss you and love you Paul, Carol Maurie and family

Please accept my deepest condolences for your loss and your family’s. May the many unforgettable memories you shared with Paul bring you comfort.

Dotty, I know that Paul will always be a part of you and will truly be missed by so many. My deepest sympathy to you and your family, and prayers as you move forward. Nancy

My friend Strickland, I know you will be smiling down from heaven. I will miss our conversations every single Wednesday. Sending the Strickland family all the strength they may need to get through this tough time.

Dotty I’m so sorry to hear about the passing of Paul. May your special memories you made together keep going forward. Paul touched so many different lives. As a teacher, Paul would expect all students to Strive for Excellence. I’m so grateful, I got the opportunity to know Paul as both a colleague ,a friend, at Vero Beach Elementary. Paul will be sadly missed.

Paul was not only a loving husband and father but he was a great friend. Paul & Dotty welcomed all to their home. Our sincerest sympathies to Dotty and the family. You know that he will be watching over us all. God Bless you Paul.

Dear Dotty and family, Thinking of you and sending love and prayers to you all. May the days ahead be filled with many wonderful memories.

Paul and I briefly shared an apartment in Fredonia during the summer of 1966. We later lived in the same SUNY Fredonia dorm, during which time Paul gave me boxing lessons. He was apparently a Golden Gloves Champion prior to coming to Fredonia and was obviously a VERY skilled boxer. More important, he radiated goodness. One was always grateful for the time spent in his presence. Wishing his family peace and the knowledge that he touched the heart of yet one more admirer. Joe Scherrer, SUNY Fredonia ‘68

I just came across a yearbook from 1986 (when I was in 5th grade). Mr. Strickland was my teacher and I remembered him as a great teacher. Enough so that I wanted to find a way to reach out to him and just say hi. Sad to see that he’s no longer with us – but I have fond memories of him being a great teacher, even after all of these years. Thank you for your service, Mr. Stickland! –Jeff