Tracy Lee Strickland, Lieutenant Colonel (Retired), U.S. Army, passed away surrounded
by the legacy of a life defined by service, devotion, and love. He was born on March 31,
1952, in Dallas, Texas, to Nancy Helen Hood Strickland and Jack Byron Strickland. He
was raised alongside his beloved sister, Becky Ann Strickland Jackson, born in 1955.
Tracy grew up in Farmers Branch, Texas, where his family first lived on Nestle Street
before settling on Topaz Lane, a both homes remained close to his heart throughout his
life. He attended Carrollton Elementary School, Vivian Field Junior High School, and
graduated from R.L. Turner High School in 1970, where he was recognized as Most
Likely to Succeed male student.  A gifted student and athlete, Tracy played baseball
from childhood through high school, developing a lifelong love for the game.

In 1970, Tracy began his distinguished journey of service when he entered the United
States Military Academy at West Point. He graduated in 1974 with an engineering
degree and was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the United States Army. He went on
to complete Airborne and Ranger School, the Field Artillery Basic Course at Fort Sill,
and served with the 3/21 Field Artillery at Fort Polk. He later returned to Fort Sill for the
Field Artillery Advanced Course before serving in Germany as Commander of C Battery,
1/75 Field Artillery.

Due to a family emergency medical need, Tracy and the family returned to the
United States in 1981 and served a three-year tour as an ROTC instructor at
Trinity University in San Antonio, obtaining his Master's Degree at the same time.
He continued his military career with distinction, ultimately retiring at the rank of
Lieutenant Colonel after 28 years of honorable service. In his later military years,
he led a Texas National Guard unit in Grand Prairie following his retirement from
full-time active duty.

A proud and devoted West Point alumnus, Tracy lived by the Academy's motto of Duty,
Honor, Country. He remained a steadfast supporter of the Black Knights, watching a
football games on TV or attending the game if it was in the area, and he always
carried West Point's lessons of leadership, integrity, and accountability into every role
he held—as an officer, father, husband, colleague, and friend.

Alongside his military service, Tracy built a successful civilian career with Texas
Instruments, working at the Expressway, McKinney, and Lewisville sites. Following the
acquisition of TI's Defense Systems and Electronics Group by Raytheon in 1999, he
continued his career with Raytheon in McKinney until his retirement in 2016. Tracy
played a key role in overseeing component procurement development for major defense
programs, including F-16, F-22, Joint Strike Fighter, MRFS, and numerous night vision
and targeting systems. His professionalism, precision, and reliability earned him deep
respect and recognition throughout his career.

Tracy married Kay Harper of Lewisville, Texas, on February 16, 2002, at Holy Covenant
United Methodist Church in Carrollton. Their love story—one of two people finding one
another later in life—was cherished by all who knew them. They shared passions for
cooking, gardening, travel, church service, and community involvement. Known for their
generosity and hospitality, Tracy and Kay delighted friends and family with memorable
meals and signature dishes, creating lasting traditions and treasured memories. Their
marriage was often described as a "storybook romance," one marked by joy,
partnership, and deep devotion.

Tracy was a man of faith throughout his life. He grew up attending St. Andrew's
Episcopal Church in Farmers Branch, serving as an altar boy, and later became an
active member of Holy Covenant United Methodist Church, where he served on
numerous committees and boards.

He is survived by his wife, Kay Harper Strickland; his daughters, Caroline Anderson,
Rachel DuPree (David), and Amanda Strickland; his son, Benjamin Strickland; his
sister, Becky Jackson (Miles); and his nephew, Corey Jackson, and great-niece,
Annabelle Jackson. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Meghan Hubbard (Kasey),
Felicia Davis (Colton), Preston Anderson, Jack DuPree, Lewis DuPree, and Taylor
DuPree; and his great-grandson, Knox Hubbard. Tracy is further survived by numerous
nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and great-great-nieces and nephews.
Tracy was known as a devoted family man, respected leader, loyal friend, veteran, and
enthusiastic cook. He possessed a sharp wit, warm humor, and contagious enthusiasm
that brought laughter and reassurance to those around him. He believed deeply in
fairness, responsibility, and accountability, especially as a father, and taught his children
who always call themselves "Army Brats", that adaptability and resilience were
strengths, not burdens. He was also devoted to his dogs, treating them as family and
faithfully caring for them throughout their lives.

Above all, Tracy believed that being a good husband and father mattered more than any
title or rank. His presence was steady, his character unwavering, and his love enduring.
Tracy once summed up his life simply and beautifully:
"Remember me for the love I have for family and friends and the ever present
thoughts of West Point and how all of it made me the person I am."

Lieutenant Colonel Tracy Lee Strickland leaves behind a legacy of service, leadership,
laughter, discipline, loyalty, and love. He was deeply loved, fiercely respected, and will
be profoundly missed.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to dfwlabrescue.org