Obituary: Robert George Strickland Jr.

Robert George Strickland Jr., 78, died peacefully on April 13, surrounded by his family and friends. As a devoted husband, father and grandfather, George loved the Lord, his family, his farm and his community.

He was born Sept. 26, 1945, in Athens, but grew up in Danielsville where he graduated from Madison County High School in 1963. While at the University of Georgia, he joined the U.S. Army Reserves, in which he served for six years. In 1968, he graduated from UGA with a Bachelor of Science in agriculture.

After spending three years with the Federal Land Bank Association, he launched a career — with multiple businesses — that spanned 50 years. Among his entrepreneurial endeavors, he founded Madison County Hardware and co-founded Georgia Metals with his son, Robert George (Tripp) Strickland III. Other business interests with his son included Royston Rentals and the ACE hardware stores in Colbert and Crawford.

As a civic leader, George was the charter president of the Madison County Jaycees and charter president of the Madison County Cattlemen’s Association. A former recreational league coach and a Boy Scout leader, he also served on the Danielsville City Council, Madison County Tax Equalization Board, the Madison County Board of Education and the chamber of commerce board of directors. In 2021, the Madison County Chamber of Commerce recognized him with its Lifetime Achievement Award.

George was named Northeast Georgia Businessman of the Year in 2002. He was a member of Leadership Georgia’s Class of 1977 and Master of the John H. Jones Masonic Lodge. He was a member of Moon’s Grove Baptist Church, where he had served as an ordained deacon. 

George was a servant leader and a quiet man. When he did speak, his words were seasoned with wisdom. He had a strong constitution and a charitable heart.

George is survived by his wife of 48 years, Autumn Farmer Strickland; his children, Robert George Strickland (Tripp) III (Carlton) and Amanda Strickland McCall (Matthew); his grandchildren Emily, Robert G. IV and Henry Strickland, and a sister Brenda Strickland Moon (Dennis). He was preceded in death by his parents Robert G. Strickland Sr. and Mae Ruth Echols Strickland, and his sister Jackie Strickland Griffeth (Kenneth). 

Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Saturday, April 20, at Lord & Stephens Funeral Home in Danielsville. The funeral will be at 3 p.m. Sunday, April 21 at Moon’s Grove Baptist Church, with a visitation period beginning at 2 p.m. The Rev. Tracey Deavers, the Rev. Bobby Boswell and the Rev. Calvin Ward will officiate. Pallbearers will be Jeff Bray, Chip Gray, Gavin Griffeth, Bryron Lee, Russ Moon, Jeremy Patat, Jeff Strickland and Cade Thomas.

Interment will be in the Moon’s Grove Baptist Church Cemetery. 

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Lord & Stephens Funeral Home, Danielsville.