Kenneth Ray Strickland, age 84, passed away on Friday, February 20, 2026, in Nevada, Texas, surrounded by his loved ones. He was born on April 29, 1941, in Greenville, Texas, to Albert E. Strickland and Vera (Gray) Strickland. Kenneth married Tonya (Page) on December 8, 1960, at Nevada Baptist Church.
Kenneth was ordained as a Deacon at Nevada Baptist Church, where he faithfully served from 1973 to 2003. In 2003, Kenneth and Tonya joined Lavon Baptist Church. He was elected to the Collin County ASCS Committee and served from 1989 to 1998. In 1976, Kenneth received an Honorary Chapter Farmer Award from the Community ISD Agriculture Department. He was also elected to the Community ISD School Board, where he served from 1983 to 1992. In his spare time, Kenneth enjoyed deer hunting, snow skiing, and most important, spending time with his family.
He is survived by his loving wife, Tonya Strickland; his sons, Chris Strickland and wife Dianne, and Wayne Strickland and wife Lisa; his brother, Larry Strickland and wife Barbara; and his grandchildren, Amber Simmons, Hope Saenz and husband Joshua, Coleman Strickland and wife Paige, and Paige Hemler and husband Chris. He is also survived by his great-grandchildren: Tanner Simmons, Kellan Simmons, Mila Saenz, Sawyer Saenz, Savannah Saenz, Fallon Strickland, Witten Strickland, Dylan Hemler, and Lincoln Hemler.
Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Vera Strickland; his brothers, Billy and Thomas Strickland; and his sisters, Barbara Gracy, Betty Strickland, and Beverly Woods.
A visitation will be held on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Lavon Baptist Church, followed by a funeral service at 1:00 p.m. Interment will follow at Nevada Cemetery.