Dan Wayne Strickland

It is with great sadness, that the family of Dan Wayne Strickland, announces his passing from this earth to his heavenly place. He passed in the early morning hours of October 14, 2022. Dan was born in Tacoma, Washington, to his parents, Jerry and Nancy Strickland. Dan surrendered his life to Jesus Christ as his Savior in 1976 and was baptized in San Antonio. Dan graduated from San Angelo Lakeview High School in 1982. He attended Angelo State University where he studied mathematics, finance, and computer science. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree.

Dan’s professional career was wholly encompassed by working as a computer programmer. His first job, for which he was employed for six years, was with Raytheon Technologies Corporation, an aerospace and defense company. During Desert Storm, Dan was one of the employees contracted on the PAVE PAWS project, by the United States Government. He then went on to work for Texas Parks and Wildlife Inland Fisheries for 22 years programming vital Creel Data and other programs. During his time with Inland Fisheries, Dan completed advanced computer courses in SAS Computer Programming and became state certified as a SAS Platform Administrator, being only one of four individuals in the state of Texas with this certification at the time. His SAS programs gained state, national, and international attention. His programs are now used by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, the State Attorney General’s Office, the Texas Comptroller’s Office, and the Texas Education Agency. He finished his career at TEA in Austin, Texas.

In 2003, Dan was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma, blood cancer, and received treatment at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. During his 19-year battle, Dan was never in remission, he endured such painstaking physical distress on his body from the chemo, the stem cell transplant, multiple surgeries, AFib, fluid in his lungs, peritoneal dialysis, hemodialysis, and his most recent diagnosis of ALS, otherwise known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Dan used that opportunity to share the saving knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. He continued his quest to share Christ to people even up to the last few hours of his life on earth. He was primarily only surrounded by medical staff since he had been hospitalized off and on from July to October, but he shared Jesus with each of them.

The family of Dan Strickland wish to thank his medical staff, Dr. Viki Forlano, his PCP for 30 years, Dr. Perret, Dr. Pharishgvarr, Dr. Zárate, Dr. Cole and Dr. Wahl Richeh for all of their time and effort. We also wish to thank the numerous nurses with their never-ending professionalism, compassion, and patience in helping to keep my husband in the least possible pain, especially the ICU nurses.

Dan is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 34 years, Mrs. Maria Senatore Strickland; his daughter, Lauren Mirelle Strickland; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Strickland; his sister, Susan Strickland; his brother, Lee Strickland; his Mother-in-Law, Mrs. Maria N. Senatore; and several dear aunts, uncles, and cousins. He is also survived by several members of his wife’s family which he dearly loved. He has many cherished friends too numerous to name and considered himself blessed to have. He had so many faithful Prayer Warriors far and wide and many immediately alerted by Mrs. Patti Tucker. Dan and his family wishes to thank TPWD for their loyalty to their co- worker Dan Strickland and his family during the beginning of his journey with cancer. TPWD was a true Brotherhood of Stately Men pooling their sick leave and vacation time when Dan ran out of his during his initial 8 month long treatment at MD Anderson. They came to visit, if Dan had to see doctors in Austin or have surgery there, an immediate call was made to a TPWD Buddy, Mr John Taylor, he and others were always ready to help. Dan never forgot your love and loyalty, neither will Lauren and me.

There will be a Visitation on Monday, December 12, 2022, 5:30-6:30p.m., a Memorial Service following the visitation 6:30-7:00 pm at Harper Funeral Home.

The Honorary Urn Carrier is Mr. Charles Cruz, Dan’s friend of over 20 yrs. and Former TPWD Coworker. The Rev. Lupe Mata will be officiating the Memorial Service.