Dan Louis Stricklin, Sr. 1932-2025

Dan Louis Stricklin, Sr., against all odds, fought his way to age 93, meeting and overcoming many obstacles along the way with the care and support of his loving family. He peacefully passed away Friday, Oct. 17, 2025 with loved ones by his side.

Dan was born Jan. 27, 1932 in Fort Worth to W.S. “Bud” and Jimmie Stricklin. He rose from a 10th-grade education to the office of president of Shop Rite food stores. Along his climb up the ladder, he moved from Fort Worth to Dallas to El Paso to Midland to Houston to San Antonio to Amarillo to Albuquerque and finally to Arlington. Through grit and determination, he made his way to the top and, ultimately, to the ownership of his own chain of independent grocery stores.

Dan married the love of his life, Jeannene, on Nov. 18, 1950, and they shared almost 70 years of marriage before her death in 2020. They traveled the world together, visiting far-off sites like China and Europe, as well as touring America in their motor home.

Dan and Jeannene’s family included five children: Denise, Dan Jr., Deidre, Debra and Dirk. Each child shares the initials of their father: DLS. Additionally, they were blessed with 12 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren, all of whom they spoiled without hesitation and without regret.

Dan often said that the happiest time of his life was the 15 years after his retirement when he traded his business clothes for overalls. He and Jeannene bought a farm, Seven Springs, in Mineola. The farm was their haven and a gathering spot for family. They provided grandkids with four-wheelers, a fishing pond and a menagerie of animals: horses, cows, goats and donkeys. Dan’s special dog, Buster, was always at his side on the farm. To add extra pizzazz to the family visits to Seven Springs, Dan bought an antique firetruck for the grandkids to ride in and an old red pickup truck so they could learn to drive a stick shift. Many, many happy memories were created at the farm.

Dan was an avid golfer all of his adult life. He began his golfing journey collecting abandoned golf balls around Rockwood Golf Course on the north side of Fort Worth near where he was born and raised. Ultimately, he played golf at prestigious courses all of the world including St. Andrews and Pebble Beach. He even played in the pro-am at the Colonial Country Club tournament. During his later years, he good-naturedly settled for watching golf tournaments on TV.

Dan leaves behind his children, Denise Ackerman, Frisco; Dan and Judy Stricklin Jr., Arlington; Deidre and Paul Ronyak, Mineola; Debra Stricklin and Barry Blaustein, La.; Dirk and Melinda Stricklin, Colleyville; and his cherished grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Funeral service: will be held at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025 in Mount Olivet Chapel. Interment will be at Mount Olivet Cemetery. Visitation is from 6-7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7, 2025 in the Breyley Suite at Mount Olivet Chapel.