Gil A. Stricklin

Gil A. Stricklin, BA ’57, a devoted husband, father, patriot and follower of Jesus Christ, slipped peacefully into the arms of his Savior Sept. 10 at his home in Dallas.

Stricklin was born Sept. 11, 1934, in Sadler, TX. He was the third of five sons in the Stricklin family who grew up in Denison, TX. When Stricklin was 12 years old, he trusted Jesus Christ for his eternal salvation. He would joyfully serve Him for the remainder of his life.

Stricklin graduated from high school in 1953 and headed to Baylor where he was freshman class president and Baylor Yell Leader and served in the Baylor ROTC. He graduated in 1957 with a business degree and a commission in the United States Air Force. While a student, he met Ann March, whom he married May 23, 1958, the day Ann graduated from Baylor. They were married for 65 years.

In 1965, Stricklin was invited to join the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association to serve in preparation for the upcoming World Congress on Evangelism and as a special assistant to Graham. For the following six years, Stricklin traveled the world with Graham, setting up press conferences for the evangelist and working with the media. The opportunity to meet Christians all over the world and work with the Billy Graham team was a major influence for his future ministries.

In 1970, the family moved to Dallas, where he worked for the Baptist General Convention of Texas (BGCT), leading the hugely successful Super Summer Youth Evangelism Program that is still in place today. Stricklin then moved from the Air Force to the Army and became an Army Chaplain.

In 1983, Stricklin founded Marketplace Ministries, which offers the same chaplain care to business employees that the U.S. military offers to soldiers. The organization now serves more than 1,000 companies. 

Stricklin was a member, prayer partner and deacon at First Baptist Church in Dallas for 53 years. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Ann March Stricklin; oldest son Art and his wife Belinda, of Dallas; Cliff and his wife Christy, of Denver; grandchildren Allison, Ashley, Cal and Colton; and one brother Charles Stricklin, of Newport, California. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lessie Caroline Watson and Gilford Lane Stricklin, and three brothers, Don, Jerry and Jimmy Stricklin.