Jacob Vann Strickland

Jacob Vann Strickland, 44, passed away on October 20, 2024, in Reston, Virginia. He was born on Groundhog Day, February 2, 1980, in Raleigh, NC to Steve and Anita Strickland. Jake grew up on Oxford Road in Raleigh, where he developed a love for the outdoors playing Germans in the Night in Fallon Park. He graduated from Broughton High School in 1998, where he wrestled, ran cross country, and was a proud member of the step team. He attended Appalachian State University in Boone, NC, where he joined Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity and studied abroad in Ronda, Spain. During his college years, he drove across the country in his hatchback Honda Accord to work at Geyser Grill in Yellowstone National Park and went to numerous Phish concerts. He graduated in 2004 with degrees in Business and Spanish. After graduation, Jake moved to Nashville, TN where he worked for Dell and enjoyed boating and playing Aussie Rules Football. After Dell, he worked briefly as a Spanish Immersion teacher, which he always said was his favorite job. In 2010, he joined the United States Army serving in the 82nd Airborne with deployments to Peru and Afghanistan. After the Army in 2016, he moved to Greenville, SC where he worked at Fluor in Human Resources and later moved to Reston, VA where he was employed as a government contractor and served as a Sergeant the Army Reserves. His greatest loves were his two children, Henry (15) and Mary Frank (11) Strickland. He loved taking them on camping adventures in his beloved Subaru. He proudly watched Henry play football and Mary Frank play baseball on an all boys team. He also enjoyed snuggling on the couch loaded with blankets that he called “The Pile” while watching movies and playing video games. Jake will be remembered for his quick wit, talent for impressions, and love of music. He had a passion for backpacks, grilling, and spoke Spanish with impressive speed. A true lover of the outdoors, Jake found his happiest moments in the woods and on his motorcycle. He had a unique ability to connect with others, forging lifelong friendships that enriched the lives of all who knew him. Jake is survived by his children, Henry and Mary Frank Strickland; parents, Steve and Anita Strickland; brother, Strick Strickland; sister, Blair Pessetto; nieces, Charlie and Rachel Pessetto; aunt Wanda Batten; uncle Ralph Smith; uncle Cary and wife Carolyn Strickland; and cousins, Wes Batten, Wayne Batten, Cary Tolley Strickland, Lisa Baker, Mandy Southern, Scot Smith, Cadance Smith, and Josiah Smith. Jake was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Buddy & Frances Smith of Rocky Mount, NC and paternal grandparents Cary Vann & Juanita Strickland of Raleigh, NC. A memorial service will be held at Hayes Barton Baptist Church, 1800 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh, NC 27608, on Thursday, November 7th at 2pm. A visitation with the family will be held immediately after the service at Glenwood North Townhomes Clubhouse, 5920 Cameo Glass Way, Raleigh, NC 27612. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the National Park Service.

Jacob Vann Strickland

February 2, 1980 - October 20, 2024