Obituary of Roderic Lyall Stricker

Roderic Lyall Stricker, age 75, went to be with Jesus February 16, 2018. Rod was born October 26, 1942 in Ludlow, MA the son of the late Fred Lee Stricker and Edith Marjorie Trim Stricker. The 4th of 6 children, he remained single and spent his life dedicated to his military service (Navy) and working for the Lord in many churches wherever he was stationed. He is survived by his brothers and sisters, Clayton Stricker of Okeechobee, FL, Maryann VanWagner of Longmeadow, MA, Leona Herring of Springfield, MA and Roxan Weed of Lexington, SC. An older brother, Linden Stricker of Hixson, TN passed away May 2016. Rod retired from the US Navy as Senior Chief Petty Officer after 28 years' service. Having time on his hands, he decided to find a hobby. Not just a simple hobby, but he decided to buy a failing Marine Store (Lacy Marine) in Forked River, NJ and turned it into a thriving business. In 2003, after heart problems and kidney disease, Rod decided it was time to officially retire and sold the business. Now officially retired, Rod moved to Lexington, SC in 2004 to be closer to his sister, Roxan. He very quickly got involved in the West Columbia First Church of the Nazarene ministry and before long served in a variety of ways. He was on the church board, worked with the Teen Ministry, sang in the choir, taught a Sunday School class, was technical adviser for the audio/visual department, organized the singles ministry, kept score at the church's softball games and drove the church van for hundreds of events. Rod was an incredibly generous man with his time, talent and treasures. Over the years he opened his home to those needing help or even a place to stay. His Pastor summed up Rod's life by saying "A guy with a big heart". Rod was surely that and more. Rod will be greatly missed by anyone that came in contact with him. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, March 10th at 1:00 p.m. at West Columbia First Church of the Nazarene located at 350 Wattling Road in West Columbia, SC 29170 (803-794-5117). In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be made to the West Columbia First Church of the Nazarene.