Johnson D. "Shady" Strickel '49 exemplified what it means to be an Aggie. His Aggie spirit continues through two J.D. Strickel '49 General Rudder Corps Scholarships that were established in his will.
Throughout his life, the late Johnson D. "Shady" Strickel '49 exemplified what it means to be an Aggie. His Aggie spirit continues through two J.D. Strickel '49 General Rudder Corps Scholarships that were established in his will.
These scholarships provide Corps of Cadets members with financial assistance so they can participate fully in the Corps and other student activities instead of needing to work long hours at a part-time job.
The Corps made a strong impression on Shady Strickel, who was a native of Beaumont. "He just loved being an Aggie and always said that if he could live that life again, he would have," said his wife, Betty Strickel.
After his passing, she called the Corps to ask for six cadets to serve as pallbearers at his funeral. When 10 cadets showed up to assist, Betty Strickel was reminded of the impact the Corps had on her husband - and vice versa. "Shady just wanted to give back to the Corps so he could help it live on," she said.
And Shady Strickel did give back, very generously, to Texas A&M. In addition to his $100,000 bequest for the two General Rudder Corps Scholarships, Strickel donated his time and contributions to several clubs and organizations that support the university.
Johnson D. "Shady" Strickel died in March 2007. And he has been missed, although his legacy lives on through his two General Rudder Corps scholarships, which are given to cadets who wish to learn leadership while maintaining academic success.
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