David M. Strickler

David Miller Strickler, 66, husband of Melodie Lynn (Boggs) Strickler, died Thursday, February 23, 2023 at his childhood home.

David was born August 12, 1956 in Augusta County to the late Walter F. Strickler and Virginia Ann (Rosen) Strickler.

David attended Middlebrook Elementary School and Riverheads High School, where he played football and was inducted into the Red Pride Hall of Fame. He went on to play football at Salem College in Salem, WV, where he was a member of the team that competed in the 1975 NAIA Championship. He maintained lifelong friendships with many of his teammates there, and attended numerous Salem football reunions over the years, where he enjoyed reconnecting with former teammates and establishing new friendships.

Having formed a strong connection to the family farm from an early age, David always felt drawn to it, no matter where he lived. He returned to Augusta County and lived near the farm for the rest of his life, and enjoyed helping to maintain it.

David retired from The LYCRA Company in 2022 with over 30 years of service. He held a number of positions over the years, and especially enjoyed his final position as a research assistant at Benger Lab.

He was a lifelong member of Mt. Tabor Lutheran Church, where he sang in the choir. He had a beautiful baritone voice, and sang often in church, at weddings, funerals, etc. His renditions of “O Holy Night” and “The Lord’s Prayer” will particularly be missed. Over the years, he also led the church youth group and served as chairman of the church council, among many other roles.

David appreciated the beauty of each day and took pleasure in the simple things in life, like watching sunrises and sunsets, taking walks on the family farm, making backyard fires and s’mores with his family. He loved to golf with his family and friends, and go on annual golf trips with work colleagues, which he attended for over 30 years. He was a great storyteller with a wonderful sense of humor, who loved to laugh, and always had a smile for anyone he met.

He is survived by his loving wife of 43 years, Melodie; his daughters, Virginia Hart and her husband Jake, of Nutley, NJ, Bethany Strickler and Marisa Strickler, both of Staunton; his grandchildren, Beatrix Hart of Nutley, NJ, and Graham Feaganes of Staunton; his brother, Mark R. Strickler and his wife Kathy, of Locust Grove, VA; his sister, Jane Mooney and her husband Roger of Charleston, WV; his father and mother-in-law, Norris and Mary Boggs of St. Albans, WV; brothers-in-law Greg Boggs and his wife Gail, of Charlotte, NC and Jeff Boggs and his wife Bonnie of Charleston, WV; sister-in-law Cheryl Lewis and her husband John of Reno, NV; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and special friends.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his mother-in-law, Joan Davis Boggs.

The family would like to extend their thanks to Dr. Rob Marsh and to Hospice of the Shenandoah, for their kindness and care. Additionally, they feel a deep sense of gratitude to the Salem Tiger Nation, the Mt. Tabor congregation, and the surrounding community for their outpouring of love and support.

Those desiring to make memorial contributions may address them to Mt. Tabor Lutheran Church (334 Mt. Tabor Rd., Staunton, VA 24401) or Hospice of the Shenandoah (Hospice of the Shenandoah. c/o Augusta Health Foundation. P.O. Box 1000, Fishersville, VA 22939).

The family will receive friends on Friday, March 3, 2023 from 6:00–8:00 pm at Henry Funeral Home.

A memorial service will be held at Mt. Tabor Lutheran Church on Saturday, March 4, 2023 at 11:00 am.

Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.henryfuneralhome.net .