Richard E. Strecker, Jr.

Richard E. Strecker Jr., 69, of Cuyahoga Falls, departed this earth and arrived at heaven’s gatees on January 15, 2024. Rick was very joyfully greeted by his recently deceased sister Carol Strecker, and by his beloved parents, Marilyn and Richard E. Strecker Sr.; Rick’s grandparents, Kathryn and Leo Carney and Clara and Sam Oborne, were overjoyed to see him too!

Rick was born in Akron, Ohio on August 27, 1954. A 1972 graduate of Cuyahoga Falls High School, Rick majored in communications at the University of Akron, the field he worked in after moving to California in his twenties. Rick later took courses in graphic arts and became employed as a graphic technician by Westinghouse in Florida, where he resided in Orlando for 12 years. Rick also worked for Marriott in Orlando, and he spent lots of time at Disney World (where he regularly walked for many miles using his season pass!)

After Rick returned to Ohio to be near family, he met his dear friend of the past 20 years, Nancy B., a longtime RN who visited him during the final days of his courageous battle against cancer and heart disease. Also after returning to Ohio, Rick became a devoted member of St. Joseph Church in Cuyahoga Falls, where he served as a lector for many years. In very recent years, Rick also attended St. Eugene Church, the parish in which he resided.

Rick was a hard worker throughout his life; even during the past year. Although Rick was becoming sicker every day, he continued to work in his hometown at Sheraton Sites, and for Riverside Community Urban Redevelopment Corp.

Rick will be dearly missed by his sisters, MaryAnn Vale-Walsh and Kathleen (Thomas) Hemperly; and by his brother, James (Dawn) Strecker. He will also be lovingly remembered by his nieces, Susan Vale and Tylyn Strecker, and by his nephew, Steven (Joy) Vale. Rick also leaves a great-niece, Ashleigh, and a great-nephew, Sam. Rick’s nearby cousins, Theri (Chris) Blanton and Robert Strecker Jr. will miss him too, as will his cousins, Mary (Paul) Thibeau and Cathy Ray.

Although Rick’s family members are heartbroken at this time, the know that Rick is with God. They are also finding solace in the knowledge that Rick is now pain-free and no longer needs to suffer from the severe migraine headaches he endured throughout his life as the result of being knocked off his bicycle and run over by a large SUV when he was a little boy.

Per Rick’s wishes, cremation will take place and there will be a graveside service for family and close friends at a later date. Rick’s final resting place will be at Oakwood Cemetery in Cuyahoga Falls with his parents and sister. Rick would very much appreciate any donations in his name to either St. Joseph Church or St. Eugene Church, or to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741.

Rest in peace, dear Ricky, you have “fought the good fight, you have finished the race, you have kept the faith.” You have been awarded the “crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge” awards to “all who have longed for His appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:7-8)