Dalton LaVerne Strickland

Littleton, Colorado Dalton LaVerne Strickland, age 61, of Littleton, Colorado, formerly of the Arapahoe & Beaver City, Nebraska area, passed away Saturday, February 21, 2015, at his home in Littleton, Colorado. Dalton was born on March 5, 1953 to Clifford H. and Bonnie June (Helton) Strickland, at the old St. Catherine’s Hospital, in McCook, Nebraska. As a youth, Dalton lived on the Strickland homestead southwest of Beaver City, with his parents and brothers. As he grew older the family moved to the community of Arapahoe, along with brief periods of residing in Arcadia, Kearney, and Lexington, Nebraska. Dalton created many memories growing up with his brothers and cousins on the farms and around town. He captivated all he knew and met with his smile that charmed his way into many hearts. He was an ornery mischievous soul that found many adventures with those 4 brothers and cousins. Dalton participated in Boy Scouts, baseball, and band, just to name a few of his boyhood activities. As he became a teenager he worked for Bailey’s Sports Shop in Lexington, Nebraska thus began his motorcycle racing career. Dalton raced on many flat track and motocross racing circuits in Nebraska, Colorado, Kansas, and Oklahoma. He was quite successful, as he almost turned pro. As his racing career ended, Dalton continued as a certified AMA motorcycle mechanic for Sun Honda in Denver, Colorado until 1978. In the summer of 1978 Dalton, changed career paths and began working alongside his father in the construction business for Holloway Construction Co. as a heavy equipment operator. Dalton moved to George West, Texas where he worked on the Choke Canyon Dam Project. During this time he met Hattie Sue Ware, they were married April 21, 1981 and out of this union, their daughter, Sarah June was born and his step-daughter Michelle (Ware) Brown entered his life. August of 1982, Dalton and his family moved back to the metro Denver, Colorado area. Dalton continued to work construction however, he felt the need to better his life and further his education and career opportunity. Dalton attended ITT Technical College graduating in 1986, near the top of his class, with an Associates Degree in Electronics Engineering. After graduation, Dalton was employed at Martin Marietta where he worked on many projects for NASA and Department of Defense Contracts. During a brief time, as Martin Marietta reorganized, Dalton worked again in construction, then he returned to the newly reorganized Lockheed Martin, once again in his position working in the Division of Aeronautics Space Engineering, as an Electrical Engineer, again on many projects for NASA and the DOD until the day of his passing. Throughout his career, he proceeded to further his education, and obtain his Bachelors Degree in Electrical Engineering, from Colorado Mountain College. Dalton enjoyed music, playing his guitar, camping on his mountain property (in his teepee), cross country skiing, show shoeing, fly fishing/fishing, hunting, above all, traveling to the Philippines and spending time with his wife Dinna Ramos. The past 5 years of his life, Dalton met his best friend, his confidant, his soul mate, Dinna Ramos of Los Banos, Laguna, Philippines. They joined together, in marriage, making their life complete on December 8, 2013. Dalton’s life was fulfilled, content, and complete. He had never been so happy! He had many travels back and forth from the States to the Philippines, a life well deserved of adventure! He was preceded in death by his parents. He leaves to mourn: his wife, Dinna Ramos of Los Banos, Laguna, Philippines; daughter Sarah June and Mike Nicholls, Colorado Springs, Co.; step-daughter Michelle Brown, Gulf Port, Mississippi; brother’s, Doug and Deena Strickland, North Loup, NE; Richard and Marlene Strickland of Lakewood, CO; Darwin Strickland, Arapahoe, NE; sister, Dalis Strickland, Arapahoe, NE, and friends. Grandchildren, Acacia and Lleven of Colorado Springs, Co; Aunt Lila Adams, Arapahoe, NE; and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. Condolences or personal reflections can be left at wenburgfuneralhome.com There will be no viewing or visitation as cremation was chosen. Memorial services will be Monday, March 9, 2015 at 10:30 AM at the First United Methodist Church in Arapahoe, Nebraska with Pastor Becky Saddler, officiating. Inurnment will be at the Mount Hope Cemetery in Beaver City, Nebraska. Wenburg Funeral Home of Arapahoe, Nebraska is in charge of the arrangements.