BREMEN, Ala. – On Feb. 8, 2026, World War II veteran Leldon P. Stricklin celebrated his 100th birthday at the Bremen Volunteer Fire Department, surrounded by family and friends. Stricklin was born Feb. 3, 1926, to Bart and Flecia Stricklin, and is the youngest of five children.
Stricklin was drafted into WWII during his senior year of high school in 1943, and he served for 25 months in the U.S. Army. He married his wife, Maye Dooley Stricklin, on March 8, 1944. They were married for 72 years before her passing in March 2016. Together, they had four sons: Greg, Michael, Donald and Billy Stricklin.
Today Stricklin has eight grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren and 11 great-great-grandchildren.
His advice to younger generations: “Be a good Christian; that’s all I know. Be a good Christian and everything will be fine.”
“He’s always been a hard worker, too, haven’t you?” his daughter-in-law Phyllis Stricklin asked him.
He nodded and said, “I have.”
His loved ones sang “Happy Birthday,” and the rest of the afternoon was filled with cake, presents, pictures and laughter.
