John "Kim" Stricklin (6-5-12) service 6-9-12

John "Kim" Stricklin was born in Savannah on Feb. 13, 1950, the son of the late J.R. Stricklin and Dorthea Reynolds Stricklin who survives.

On Sept. 5, 1971, he was united in marriage to Patricia Ann Rooley who survives.

Kim, as he was known to his friends, served his country as a member of the United States Army from 1971 through 1973. During his lifetime he worked in several different fields; from 1980–1990 he was a commodities broker, leaving that vocation to serve as the Hardin County Executive from 1990 until 1994. He also worked in customer service for Parris Manufacturing in Savannah and as a purchasing agent for AUI in Cookeville, Tenn. At the time of his death, Kim was self-employed as a farmer, an occupation that put his Bachelor of Science degree in animal science to good use.

His community involvement was not limited to work; Kim was also a member of the First United Methodist Church in Savannah. In the past he coached T-ball, basketball, and minor league and little league baseball, serving for a period of time as the league president. Since he was an avid Atlanta Braves and University of Tennessee sports fan, it was obvious that his love of sports extended beyond the boundaries of Hardin County.

Kim departed this life on Tuesday, June 5, at the age of 62 years, 2 months, 23 days.

In addition to his wife, Patti, and his mother, Dorthea, Kim is survived by three daughters, Ursula Adell Houser of Knoxville, Erika Collette Ballard of Chattanooga, and Tawna Sue McMahon of New York City; one son, Jeb Riley Stricklin of Byron, Ga.; three brothers, Don and Mac Stricklin both of Savannah, and Ray Stricklin of College Park, Md.; two sisters, Elaine Raines of Hot Springs, Ark. and Annette Williams of Paducah, Ky. and ten grandchildren, Tim Ballard, Jaime Ballard, Tori Ballard, Cole Ballard, Christian Ballard, Elizabeth Stricklin, Emma Stricklin, Alexis Houser and Kaden Houser.

Services were held on Saturday, June 9, at 1 p.m., at First United Methodist Church in Savannah with Dr. Ron Brown and Jeb Stricklin officiating. Burial followed in the Mount Hermon Cemetery at Savannah.