Graham "Kent" Strickland

Graham “Kent” Strickland, born March 2, 1940, to Hersey and Gertrude MacMillan Strickland, lived a life devoted to family, friendship, and community.

Kent spent his early childhood in wartime Wilmington, NC, where his father built ships. The military aircraft and events he witnessed sparked a lifelong interest in history. His family later returned to their tobacco farm in Four Points, NC. He graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a degree in history and married the love of his life, Judy Spence, in June 1963. Kent and Judy settled in Asheboro, where they raised their sons, Preston and Barry. His career included teaching, electric company management, and real estate before he became an appraiser for Randolph County.

Kent’s passion for history found expressions in building model airplanes, researching genealogy, and searching for Civil War artifacts with his late son, Preston. His discovery of his great-grandfather’s fate as a Civil War prisoner inspired his book, The Last to Die: A Story of War in the Carolinas and Virginia. He also worked with his brother to identify UNC students who died in the Civil War for a campus memorial.

An avid Tar Heel fan, Kent loved sharing games with family and friends. For more than 30 years, he coached youth basketball, baseball, and soccer, often continuing even when his own children were not playing. He taught perseverance, teamwork, and the satisfaction of improving, and treasured reconnecting with former players.

Kent could strike up a conversation with almost anyone, finding common ground and sharing a joke. He served through the Jaycees, Kiwanis, and Randolph County’s Special Olympics committee, whose work he found especially meaningful. Many knew him as a pancake chef at Asheboro’s Kiwanis Pancake Day. He was a longtime member of First Presbyterian Church.

Above all, Kent showed up for his family. Whether helping with homework, camping with Boy Scouts, or offering advice, he gave his time freely. Following Preston’s death in 2010, he helped assist with care for grandchildren Lori and Nathan. He also devoted himself to caring for Judy throughout her years with Alzheimer’s disease until her passing in 2018.

As his own health declined, Kent’s warmth and humor endured. At Whitestone in Greensboro, he continued making friends, giving staff nicknames, and bringing smiles to those around him.

Kent was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Anthony Reid Strickland; wife, Judy Spence Strickland; and son, Preston Strickland. He is survived by his son, Barry Strickland (Erin) of Greensboro; daughter-in-law, Keri Strickland-Ward (James) of Apex; and grandchildren, Lori and Nathan Strickland of Apex and Pierce and Grace Strickland of Greensboro. He is also survived by nephews Jonathan Strickland (Leslie) of Milford, Ohio and Jeffrey Strickland of Chapel Hill, NC.

A memorial service honoring Kent will be held on Saturday, November 7th at 1:00 PM at First Presbyterian Church, 420 West Walker Avenue, in Asheboro with Reverend Brian Rummage officiating. The family will receive friends following the service in the church fellowship hall. Memorials may be made to Whitestone liveatwhitestone.org/donate