Tommy Joe Strickland age 57 of Coffeyville passed away on January 16, 2019 at Coffeyville Regional Medical Center.

 

Tom was born in Coffeyville on October 31, 1961 to Judy (Oja) Taylor. He attended local grade schools and graduated from Field Kindley High School. He continued his education at Coffeyville Community College where he earned his EMT certification and later his paramedic. He worked for the EMS in Caney, Frontenac and Garnett. Changing careers, Tom most recently worked for B&W Hitches in Humboldt as a machine operator. Tom always enjoyed listening to music, spending time with family, fishing, and spending time with friends. He was most known for his cooking, usually on the BBQ grill. Concocting new recipes and then calling his mom to tell her about them was a norm. Tom’s outward appearance one would think he was tough as nails but deep down he was just like a stuffed teddy bear which could be the reason that he was always the favorite uncle to all the nieces and nephews. Tom could always be found helping a friend in need.

 

Those left to cherish Tom’s memories are his sons, Joseph Metcalf of Caney and Kyle Barrett of Pittsburg, mother Judy Taylor her husband John of Iola, brothers, Mike Shook his wife Dalena of Coffeyville, Mark Weeks his wife Kristen of Ft. Scott, David Weeks of Paola, step-sister Jessica Baker her husband Sam of Sycamore, and numerous nieces and nephews.

 

He is preceded in death by his grandparents Damon and Dot Strickland, brother Stacy Shook and step-brother Gene Taylor

 

Memorial services will be held on Tuesday, January 22, 2019 at 11:00 am at Ford-Wulf-Bruns Chapel with Pastor Matt Bycroft officiating. Inurnment will follow in Restlawn Memorial Park Cemetery. The family suggests memorials be made payable to St Jude Children's Research Hospital and they may be sent in care of the Chapel. To leave the family a message of condolence, please visit www.fordwulfbrunschapel.com