Obituary for Mark Strickland
Mark Louis Strickland was born August 22nd ,1957 the 3rd son of Earl “Sonny” Strickland and Cornelia
“Bitsy “ Watson. He was born and raised in Irving, Texas with his 3 brothers and graduated from MacArthur High School in 1975. Mark loved motorcycles from the time he could ride one. He was a skilled carpenter, metal fabricator, CAD draftsman as well as a talented artist. His talent and creativity was apparent in anything he did and everything he built or designed.
Mark became a fixture in the Loudermilk family in 1978 when he came with a crew of off-duty firemen
to help build a garage for Don Loudermilk and the rest is history. Mark and Diane’s story didn’t begin
until 1993, and they were married in 1996 creating an instant family with her 2 children from her first
marriage. They had 26 years together. His cancer journey began in 2010 and he fought a long hard
battle for 12 years.
Mark is survived by his brothers, David Strickland of Grand Saline, Steve Strickland of Irving and Gary
Strickland of Irving. His wife Diane, children Jason Preston and wife Amanda, Haley Preston and
grandchildren Nathin and Layne as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Services will be held at Browns Memorial Funeral Home on Thursday, Feb 2nd at 2:00pm.
“Bitsy “ Watson. He was born and raised in Irving, Texas with his 3 brothers and graduated from MacArthur High School in 1975. Mark loved motorcycles from the time he could ride one. He was a skilled carpenter, metal fabricator, CAD draftsman as well as a talented artist. His talent and creativity was apparent in anything he did and everything he built or designed.
Mark became a fixture in the Loudermilk family in 1978 when he came with a crew of off-duty firemen
to help build a garage for Don Loudermilk and the rest is history. Mark and Diane’s story didn’t begin
until 1993, and they were married in 1996 creating an instant family with her 2 children from her first
marriage. They had 26 years together. His cancer journey began in 2010 and he fought a long hard
battle for 12 years.
Mark is survived by his brothers, David Strickland of Grand Saline, Steve Strickland of Irving and Gary
Strickland of Irving. His wife Diane, children Jason Preston and wife Amanda, Haley Preston and
grandchildren Nathin and Layne as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Services will be held at Browns Memorial Funeral Home on Thursday, Feb 2nd at 2:00pm.