Evan Alexander Strickland

Evan passed away Wednesday, June 8, 2022, when the MV-22 he was in crashed in the California dessert during a training flight. He was born Wednesday, August 7, 2002, in Santa Maria, CA. Evan was a kind soul who knew when humor would be the best remedy for tense situations as well as having a kind word for friends and family. His early years were spent camping with his family during Cub Scouts and later Boy Scouts. One passion that held was his love of music, specifically playing jazz on his Alto Sax and Electronic Wind Instrument and he was once honored as a Jazz Soloist award winner. He was interested in following his father's footsteps in the military first looking at the US Air Force, later deciding on a new tradition and blazing his own path in the United States Marines. After graduating Basic Training and MCT in San Diego in January 2021 he was stationed in Pensacola, Fl for basic water survival training. Upon graduation he moved to New River, NC where he completed basic mechanical training and flight training and earned his Air Crew wings, one of his proudest achievements. Evan received word that he would be assigned to Pendleton, CA in the world-Famous Purple Foxes, VMM-364. Evan was stationed at Pendleton for less than a month and was on his first flight in Fleet when the accident occurred. He is remembered by his friends and fellow Marines for having a sense of humor and adventurous spirit, living life on his own terms with zero regrets.

He is survived by his parents, Brett and Michelle; his brother, Logan; paternal grandparents, Patricia and Wayland; and maternal grandmother, Lesyle; his girlfriend, Jessica; many aunts; uncles; and cousins. Services will be held Monday, July 25, 2022, 10:00 a.m., at French-Lomas. Interment will be held on Tuesday, July 26, 2022, 11:00 a.m., at Santa Fe National Cemetery.

The family asks in lieu of flowers a donation be made to The Wingman foundation or Hugs from Hercs.