Gary D. Stricklin
August 2, 1954 — March 21, 2026
Gary Douglas Stricklin, a long-time television sportscaster in several Texas markets, passed away at his home on March 21, 2026.
Celebration of life services will be 2:00 p.m., Saturday, April 25, 2026 at First Baptist Church of Abilene, 1333 N. 3rd St., Abilene.
Gary was born on Aug. 2, 1954, in Lubbock, TX and was preceded in death by his parents, JB and Helyn Ganaway Stricklin. He is survived by his daughter, Araya Hope Spradling of Gilbert, AZ, his sister, Glenda Pettey, of Lufkin, TX, and his nieces and nephew all of Lufkin: Jennifer Smith, husband Josh, Kim Pettey, Doug Pettey, wife Vickie, and Kelli Pettey, and their children: Jason Smith, Taylor, Charlie, and Kyle Pettey, Caroline and Henry Thacker, and Kennli Pettey.
Gary was a 1972 graduate of Central High School in San Angelo, TX. He graduated from Elkins Institute of Broadcasting in 1976. He began a career in radio and quickly switched to television, beginning as a sportscaster in Corpus Christi, TX. He worked briefly in San Antonio before making his move to Abilene, TX. where he was Sports Director at both KRBC and KTXS TV.
Gary won numerous awards for his work by the Texas Associated Press and The Texas Association of Broadcasters. In Abilene, he was perhaps most well-known for his coverage of high school football (the sport he was most passionate about) and his KTXS Sports Challenges which pitted Gary and his sports reporters against viewers in various contests.
Gary was also involved in volunteering for various organizations in Abilene. He served on the board of Pastoral Care and Counseling, was a member of the selection committee for The Big Country Athletic Hall of Fame, and participated in numerous civic and charity events throughout his time in Abilene. While living in Abilene, he attended First Baptist Church.
After an early retirement, he moved to Mountain Home, AR in 2018 with encouragement from long-time friends, Larry and Jonell Lumen. He was immediately active in the Mountain Home Lions Club, serving in various projects, including gathering eye glasses from the area optometrists for charitable recycling. He had worked part-time for The Hamil Family Funeral Home in Abilene and Roller Funeral Home in Mountain Home and also volunteered at Baxter Regional Medical Center in Arkansas. He was a member of Twin Lakes Baptist Church.
During his years in Mountain Home, he welcomed many guests to come take in the area scenery! Gary joked with his sister Glenda that he "lived on Vacation" and he simply couldn't be more awed with the Ozarks! Glenda made annual trips to visit him where they took day trips in every direction and longer stays in Branson, MO.
In addition to the link further down, here is a link for a special they did at KTXS12 in Abilene.
https://www.hamilfamilyfuneralhome.com/obituaries/gary-stricklin