ADOLOPH JULIUS STRICKER JR
Adoloph Julius Stricker Jr, 81, of Cleveland, Tx passed away on March 21, 2022. He was the eldest son of Adoloph Julius Stricker Sr. and Harriett Inez Buck and was born on April 18, 1940. He was one of fourteen children and had a twin, Alice May, who was still born. Adolph was raised in Bandera and was a proud member of the FFA and graduated from Bandera High School in 1959.
Adolph knew responsibility from an early age, often assisting in the care and keeping of his younger brothers and sisters. He was known to help tie his sisters bows and comb their hair prior to church on Sunday mornings. Adolph also was responsible for helping his maternal grandparents on their ranch with chores and assisting them with their care.
Adolph’s first job upon graduating from high school was working on the C.H. Langford Ranch in Florence, Tx, working with Charolais cattle. From there he went to work on A.M. Askew Ranch in Hempstead and assisted in showing prize winning Charolais at various rodeos and stock shows. Later, he worked for the Stella Ranch, The Figure 4 Ranch in Brookshire and the Kilroy Ranch in Wallis, Tx. Adolph worked as farrier for the Houston Polo Club for nearly thirty years. He also served, for a time, on the Wallis-Orchard ISD school board.
Shoeing horses was a huge part of his life, as he was known to many throughout his long career, as the farrier that could handle everything from an unruly mule to helping foundered horses. He was a trusted farrier for everything from working on mules in the war wagon on the Salt Grass Trail Ride to polo ponies and even Olympic level dressage horses…and of course many, many individuals who entrusted their rodeo athletes and family pets to his care. Even once he was no longer able bodied enough to shoe for himself, he still did his best to consult and share his knowledge with the younger generation.
In his later years, he took great pride in breeding and training his own horses. He enjoyed participating in pinning and sorting competitions. He was EXCA Intermediate Reserve World Champion in 2014, He finished 3rd in his division for the RSOA World in 2019 and 5th in 2020. In 2020, at the age of 80 he checked a big item off his bucket list when he competed in the AQHA World Championship for which he and his partner placed 8th in the Select Amateur Division. He was also inducted into the RSNC Bronze level Hall of Fame.
Adolph had a great love for life and was a good and honest man, possessing many gifts and abilities. He loved his border collies and had one by his side from the ages of 12-80. One of his dogs was Scottie, who he sometimes used to entertain with at local rodeos. He was also known for his story telling abilities and could remember, in great detail, the name of people, pets etc. involved. He also had the gift of reciting poems and narratives. He was larger than life!! He will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved him.
He was preceded in death by his parents,Adolph and Harriett; sister, Annie Katherine (Randy†) and his twin sister, Alice; brothers, Preston Mathias, Walter Edward, Linden Rae, William Lee (Willie) (Billie†), and Charles Howard (Charlie).
He is survived by his wife, Tara Messmore Stricker; children Mary (Ken) Grim, John (Jennifer) Stricker and Sara (Billy) Kelly; grandchildren, Erin Grim, Caitlin Grim (Christian) Brake, Jensen Stricker, Casey Kelly, Will Kelly, step-grandson, Austin Kelly and his daughter, Savannah Kelly; sisters, Rose Stricker; Inez (Bruce) Timmons, Laura (Dennis Pichot†), Debbie (Jim) Sutton, Janet (Mike) Evans and Lou (Don) Varner; and many nieces, nephews etc.
A service was held on Saturday, April 23rd at a special sorting event at RoseMary Ranch, 33525 Cameron Road, Waller, Texas. The “Adolph Stricker Memorial Sort” was a success with the proceeds being donated to Barrier-Free Camp for Special Needs Individuals.
Donation in the name of Adolph Stricker can be made to Barrier-Free Camp for Special Needs Individuals at campforall.org