Clyde E. Strickler died with amazing grace at home surrounded by his family in Los Banos, CA on Wednesday, May 8, 2007, following a courageous battle with cancer.
  He was born August 23, 1920, in the town of Ignacio, Colorado to Dudley and Ida (Guffey) Strickler. Clyde served with pride in the U.S. Army, as a First Sergeant in the 333^rd Infantry Regiment, Company C - Rail-splitters during WWII. His service during the Battle of the Bulge earned him a Silver Star.
  In May 4, 1943, he married his high school sweetheart Rosemary J. Nelson in Yuma, AZ; their love for each other was deep and abiding and they were able to celebrate their 64^th wedding anniversary on May 4. 2007. Clyde and Rosemary's family consists of four children: Bruce, Clydene, Sue Ellen, and Rosanne who they loved unconditionally and guided consistently. Clyde's courage, strength, love and example will always light their paths.
  Following his service to his country, Clyde worked within the California State Park System for 31 years enjoying and protecting some of the most beautiful parts of California such as Cuyamaca, Palomar. Anza Borrego Desert; and, his final park assignment at the Four Rivers Area headquartered in San Luis Reservoir in Los Banos, CA. During these years Clyde gathered a large "state park family" of precious friends and memories.
  Clyde enjoyed the companionship of friends and in retirement was known to "hold court" at the mouth of his garage always having time to visit friends and passersby as well. Clyde also took great delight in "finding treasures;" his "famous" garage is testimony to his ability finding (and keeping) the most unusual "things." He was also a member of the Lakeside Historical Society.
  Clyde is survived by his wife, Rosemary, his son and wife, Bruce and Stella (Chico, CA); his daughter Clydene Vandenberg (Elk Grove, CA), Sue Ellen Strickler (Portales, NM), Rosanne Wimberly and her husband Brad (Modesto, CA); his grandchildren, Kari Ballez and her husband Steve, Shane Strickler, Oonavan Vandenberg, Beth Strickler, Sara Whitehead and her husband Jared, Natalie Malik, and Paul Malik; three great-children, Brenna, Ryan, and Vance; his sister, loa Ann Donohue and her husband Emmett (Dolores, CD). In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Rene Strickler and son-in-Iaw Dominic Ciuffo.
  A memorial service for Clyde E. Strickler was held May 14, 2007 at the Whitehurst Chapel Los Banos, CA. Military burial at the San Joaquin National Cemetery will followed at a later date.
  In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to the Veteran's of Foreign Wars or the American Cancer Society.