Son of Alexander Conwell Sr. and Mary Elizabeth [Henderson] Strickland.

Was promoted to Major with the 41st CBW and became Commanding Officer 545th BS/384th BG(H) on 15 Jan 1945 at Grafton Underwood, England.

Alexander Conwell "Connie" Strickland. Our beloved husband, father and grandfather, Alexander Conwell "Connie" Strickland, Jr. passed away on Sunday, 19 June 2011 in Las Cruces, New Mexico, surrounded by the love of his life Reba and their family.

Connie and Reba lived at The Village at Northrise for the past many years where they were loved and well cared for, and Reba will continue to live there among friends. Connie was born 20 December 1920 in Groesbeck, Texas, to Alexander Conwell Strickland, Sr. and Mary Elizabeth (Henderson) Strickland. His strong faith in God holds him in good stead with the Lord, and we are comforted knowing that he will be received with open arms in Heaven.

He and his father sang many duets in the various Baptist Churches that they belonged to during his life, and their singing was gloriously enhanced by the music of his mother who was a gifted pianist. He is survived by his wife, son and two daughters.
He was preceded in death by his parents in Texas and one daughter.

He has been entrusted to the services of Getz Funeral Home for cremation, and burial will be in the Strickland Plot of the Post Oak Cemetery near Oglesby, Texas, where the memories of Connie and four other generations will be together.

He was a wonderful father to his four children, teaching and encouraging always, and proud of their accomplishments. The example he taught of loving and respecting one's "mate" has enriched all of their lives more than words can express. His love of his five grandchildren was always evident in his joy with them during their visits and communications. His four great grandchildren and their accomplishments were something that put a smile on his face as well.

Connie began his flying career on his twenty-first birthday when he was sworn in to the Army Air Corps and then went into World War II after that. He was a highly decorated B-17 pilot during World War II stationed with the Mighty Eighth Air Force at Molesworth, England. Subsequently, he taught flying to many Air Force pilots during the Korean War in Hondo, Texas. Connie continued flying in the late 1950's in El Paso, Texas, where he was the Executive Pilot for Sam Young, Sr. and Jr. at the El Paso National Bank. He continued with the Bank after that as a Business Development Officer until his retirement.

He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Las Cruces, was a Mason and Shriner, and a charter member of several World War II historical organizations. His love of flying and airplanes as well as motorcycles never faded over these many years. His favorite hobby was watching the Dallas Cowboy football games, closely followed by building airplanes, boats, and canoes. He continued until his final days to mull over the plans and schematics to build just one more airplane. Needless to say, he will be missed by his many friends and loved ones as he takes off for this last time.

Post Oak Cemetery
Oglesby,
Coryell County, Texas