House Resolution 31
By: Representatives Leverett of the 123rd and Powell of the 33rd
A RESOLUTION
Honoring the life of Mr. R. George Strickland, Jr., and dedicating a bridge in his memory;
and for other purposes.
WHEREAS, the arc of a community's history is on rare occasions benefited by the public
service of truly great men; and
WHEREAS, when these exceptional public servants intersect the arc of a community's life,
it is appropriate and just that we recognize and memorialize the profound impact of these rare
and treasured souls; and
WHEREAS, for the State of Georgia, and especially Madison County, Mr. R. George
Strickland, Jr., is one such rare and treasured soul, who led a life of successful business
achievement and devoted public service to his local community and the State of Georgia; and
WHEREAS, Mr. George was born on September 26, 1945, to Robert G. Strickland, Sr., and
Mae Ruth Echols Strickland; and
WHEREAS, other than the time he spent pursuing his education and serving his country in
the military, Mr. George lived his entire life in Danielsville, Georgia, and learned from his
parents very early in life the value of hard work and integrity; and
WHEREAS, Mr. George attended Madison County High School, where he distinguished
himself as a member of FFA, a member of 4-H, and captain of the football team, and where
he was named a Student Superlative for being Most Athletic; and
WHEREAS, Mr. George graduated from Madison County High School in 1963 and then
continued his studies, first at West Georgia College and then at the University of Georgia;
and
WHEREAS, Mr. George graduated from the University of Georgia in 1968 with a Bachelor
of Science in Agriculture; and
WHEREAS, while at UGA, Mr. George joined the U.S. Army Reserves, in which he served
for six years; and
WHEREAS, after graduating from UGA, Mr. George worked for the Federal Land Bank
Association; and
WHEREAS, after three years with the Federal Land Bank, Mr. George struck out to chart his
own path in what would be a lifetime of distinguished achievement in business and
community service; and
WHEREAS, fortunately for the State of Georgia and Madison County, Mr. George decided
to make his mark as a resident of Madison County; and
WHEREAS, Mr. George's accomplishments in the business world are too numerous to
mention, but among his more notable achievements, he founded Madison County Hardware
and co-founded Georgia Metals with his son, Robert George "Tripp" Strickland, III; and
WHEREAS, Mr. George and Tripp also operated Royston Rentals and the Ace Hardware
Stores in Colbert and Crawford; and
WHEREAS, Mr. George served his community as a member of the Danielsville City Council
for eight years (where he served as Mayor Pro Tem for four years), the Madison County Tax
Equalization Board, and the Madison County Board of Education, where he served for 12
years; and
WHEREAS, Mr. George was also an integral part of the civic community in Madison
County; and
WHEREAS, Mr. George served on the board of directors of the Madison County Chamber
of Commerce, was the charter president of the Madison County Jaycees, and was the charter
president of the Madison County Cattlemen's Association; and
WHEREAS, due in part to his great concern for the youth of his community, he served as an
Assistant Scout Master and coached recreational league sports for many years; and
WHEREAS, Mr. George also received numerous honors and awards for his selfless devotion
to his community; and
WHEREAS, in recognition of a lifetime of successful entrepreneurship and dedicated service
to his community, he was named Northeast Georgia Businessman of the Year in 2000, and
the Madison County Chamber of Commerce recognized Mr. George with its Lifetime
Achievement Award in 2021; and
WHEREAS, Mr. George was a member of Leadership Georgia's Class of 1977 and Master
of the John H. Jones Masonic Lodge; and
WHEREAS, Mr. George loved the Lord and, as a testament of his profound faith, was a
dedicated member of Moon's Grove Baptist Church, where he served as an ordained deacon,
and was a member of Gideon's International; and
WHEREAS, while he was making his mark in business as young man, Mr. George met the
love of his life, Autumn Farmer Strickland, and they were married on June 27, 1976; and
WHEREAS, Mr. George and Autumn were blessed with two children, Robert George
"Tripp" Strickland, III, and Amanda Strickland; a daughter-in-law, Carlton (married to
Tripp); and three grandchildren - Emily Strickland, Robert G. Strickland, IV, and Henry
Strickland; and
WHEREAS, despite a distinguished career and a great love of the Lord, his farm, and his
community, Mr. George's greatest joy was his family; and
WHEREAS, Mr. George's earthly life journey ended on April 13, 2024, surrounded by his
family; and
WHEREAS, Mr. George was a true gentleman to all he met and will be greatly missed; and
WHEREAS, such a distinguished business career and steadfast devotion to public service has
been of immense benefit to the State of Georgia and Madison County; and
WHEREAS, it is abundantly fitting and proper that this remarkable and distinguished
Georgian be appropriately recognized by dedicating in his honor a bridge in his beloved
Madison County.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED AND ENACTED BY THE GENERAL
ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA that the bridge on U.S. Highway 29/ State Route 8 over South
Fork Broad River in Madison County is dedicated as the R. George Strickland, Jr. Memorial
Bridge.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Transportation is authorized and
directed to erect and maintain appropriate signs dedicating the R. George Strickland, Jr.
Memorial Bridge.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized
and directed to make appropriate copies of this resolution available for distribution to the
family of Mr. R. George Strickland, Jr., and to the Department of Transportation.