Benjamin Alfred Strickling

Benjamin Alfred Strickling, 92, of Midland, Texas, and also lovingly known by family and friends as “PaPa,” passed away on Tuesday, April 19, 2022, at his residence. A private memorial service will be held in the near future.

Ben was born on September 15, 1929, in Newcastle, WY. Growing up in the country in rural Wyoming, Ben enjoyed being taught in a two-room school with 4 grades being taught in each room. He liked to listen to what the older kids were being taught and always “felt like” he was ready to skip ahead a year. After graduating high school in Newcastle, WY, Ben went to Alaska to work for the summer to earn money for college. He attended the University of Tulsa in Oklahoma and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Petroleum Engineering. He was an active member of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity and the Engineers Club.

In Tulsa, Ben met Patricia Toler, the love of his life, and they were married during their senior year on October 9, 1954, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. After they graduated in January 1955, they moved to Quantico, VA where Ben enrolled in Officer Candidate School and became a U.S. Marine Corps Officer and then a Second Lieutenant. While stationed there, their first son Ben III was born. Ben became a First Lieutenant in November 1956 at Camp Lejeune near Jacksonville, NC. From 1957 to 1958, they lived in Beaufort, SC where Ben worked in photographic interpretation for the U.S. Navy. In 1958, after 3 years in the Marines, Ben left to begin his career as a Petroleum Engineer. They traveled to Ben’s home state of Wyoming for a brief stay and then the small family moved to Jennings, LA where Ben worked for Penrod Drilling Company. While Ben worked in Jennings, Patti stayed at her parents’ house in Shreveport, LA until their second child Suzanne was born. Afterward, Ben drove to Tulsa, OK to interview for a petroleum engineering position at Skelly Oil Company. From 1958 to 1964, Ben worked for Skelly Oil Company in Farmington, NM, where they built a house and three more children, Joe, Margaret, and Diane, were born. In 1964, Ben was transferred to Bay City, TX and in 1966, Ben was transferred to Monahans, TX where their sixth child Stephen was born. Finally, in July 1968, Ben was transferred to Midland, TX where he continued to work for Skelly. In 1977, Skelly merged into Getty Oil. In September 1977, Ben went to work for John L. Cox, an independent oil and gas operator and producer in Midland, where he enjoyed his happiest working years until his retirement in 2005 at the age of 76.

Ben was a hard-working man and a loving husband and father. He enjoyed his large family and was happiest in his later years when his family was visiting. A new baby in the family always brought him so much joy.  Ben loved the outdoors and nature and he was an avid gardener and naturalist. He grew up hunting and fishing and he treasured his many hunting and fishing trips with his family and his friends. He and his wife also enjoyed many years of collecting Southwest Indian art and pottery.

Ben is survived by his six children, Benjamin A. Strickling, III (Roxane) of Midland, TX, Suzanne Patricia Albright (Ken) of Tulsa, OK, Joseph Dodd Strickling (Tina) of Midland, TX, Margaret Ann Brumfield (Burt) of Baton Rouge, LA, Diane Elizabeth Strickling of Dallas, TX, and Stephen Michael Strickling of Midland, TX; his seven grandchildren, Alexis Anne Horner (Jason) of Dallas, TX, Kelly Michael Strickling (Bonnie) of Midland, TX, Mitchell Andrew Strickling (Olivia) of Austin, TX, Andrew Kenneth Albright of Oklahoma City, OK, Anna Patricia Albright of Tulsa, OK, Benjamin Michael Brumfield of Baton Rouge, LA and Andrew Cox of Midland, TX; his six great-grandchildren, Jake Michael Horner, Ryan Benjamin Horner, Molly Anne Horner, all of Dallas, TX and Evelyn Leigh Strickling, Willis Michael Strickling and Thomas Benjamin Strickling, all of Midland, TX; and his sister Joyce Sylte of Newcastle, WY and his brother Delbert Strickling of Beulah, WY along with many nieces and nephews.

Ben is preceded in death by his beloved wife Patricia Toler Strickling and his parents, Benjamin Alfred Strickling and Myrtle Anastasia Carr Strickling of Osage,WY.

The family would like to express their gratitude to Ben’s loving caregivers and Midland Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Midland, TX, the Nantz National Alzheimer Center (NantzFriends at Houston Methodist) or a charity of your choice.

Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com.

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