The McDougald Funeral Home2211 North Main StreetAnderson, SC 29621864-224-4343OBITUARY w/PHOTO FLAG MR. GARY STRICKLAND February 12, 1942 - September 24, 2007ANDERSON, SCMr. Harold 'Gary' Garrison Strickland, answered the call from his Heavenly Father to Headquarters Station on Monday, September 24, 2007 at AnMed Health Medical Center in Anderson, after a brief illness.Mr. Strickland was born on February 12, 1942 to the late Harold J. Strickland and Altha V. Strickland. He was a graduate of Boys' High School. He served in the United States Air Force as a Military Policeman for four years. Upon his return, he worked at Anderson Memorial Hospital in Respiratory Therapy. He joined the City of Anderson Fire Department on April 4, 1966. He served the city for 31 ' years, retiring in September, 1997 with the rank of lieutenant. Gary was a member of Neals Creek Baptist Church where he had served as Deacon, Sunday School Teacher, Vacation Bible School worker, usher, RA leader, finance committee member and Brotherhood member. For eighteen years, Gary was a member of Broadway Volunteer Fire Department, where he was selected as firefighter of the year numerous times. He was a charter member of the Anderson County Haz Mat team where he served ten years, having retiring in 1997. He was also a charter member of the Anderson City Technical Rescue Team. He was on the Board of Directors of the Aluminum Cans for Burned Children Chapter in Anderson. He was presented the 'Can Man' award in 2002. He was a member of the Hiriam Masonic Lodge #68 where he was awarded 'Mason of the Year' in 2000. He was also a member of the Anderson York Rite Bodies, a 32nd Scottish Rite Mason and also a member of the Hejaz Shrine. He was a member of the American Legion Post 184, the V.F.W. Post #5996 and also served on the Campbell Patriots Honor Guard. He was a member of the Knights of Pythias, Anderson Red Fez Club and member of the Hejaz Fireman Unit and Fellowship of Christian Fire Fighters International. Gary was also a D.O.T. Medical First Responder. Gary is survived by his mother, Altha V. Strickland; his wife of forty years, Betty Brooks Strickland; son, Michael W. Strickland; daughter, Kim D. Strickland; brother, Jimmy Strickland and wife, Patricia; brother-in-laws, Charles Brooks and wife, Diane, Tommy Brooks and his wife Jenny, Sammy Brooks and wife, Pam; sister-in-law, Bobbie Brooks; nephews, Mark Strickland, Brent Brooks and wife, Melinda, Kevin Brooks and wife, Lauri, Brandon Brooks, and Chad Brooks; nieces, Cynthia S. Adams and husband, PAGE TWO Brian, Debbie Chapman and husband, Terry, Kelli B. Horne and husband, Barry; great nephews, Cody Adams, Ross Taylor, Michael and Brantley Brooks; great-nieces, Keri Beth Taylor, Brittany and Pressley Brooks, Zoe Adams and Anna Horne.He was preceded in death by his father and mother-in-law, Charlie Lee and Inez W. Brooks and brother-in-law, Joe Brooks and maternal grandparents, Henry F. and Lula 'Pete' Vaughn. The Funeral Service will be held at 2:00 pm on Thursday, September 27, 2007 at Neals Creek Baptist Church, Anderson with the Reverend Alex Henderson, Dr. William R. West, Jr. and Reverend Charles Howell officiating. Burial with Full Firefighter and Masonic Rites will be held at Forest Lawn Memorial Park. Honorary escort will be composed of members of the Broadway Fire Department, City of Anderson Fire Department, Anderson County Fire Department and Anderson School District Five Nursing Staff.The family will receive friends at The McDougald Funeral Home on Wednesday, September 26, 2007 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. The family will be at the home, 630 Fairmont Road, Anderson, SC.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Broadway Fire Department Building Fund, P.O. Box 13631, Anderson, SC 29624 or Neals Creek Baptist Church Building Fund, 3204 Amity Road Ext, Anderson, SC 29621.A message of condolence may be sent to the family by visitingwww.mcdougaldfuneralhome.comTHE McDOUGALD FUNERAL HOME is in charge of the arrangements.