John R. Strickling was born on May 6, 1947 in Woodsfield, Monroe County, Ohio to Guy W. and D. Jane Strickling. John graduated from Woodsfield High School in May, 1965, enlisted in the United States Navy and served from November 1, 1965 until August 27, 1969.
John petitioned Monroe Lodge #189 in Woodsfield, Ohio in the Spring of 1972 and was raised a Master Mason on September 26, 1972. John’s Grandfather Samuel M. Strickling, served as Worshipful Master of Monroe #189 in 1929 and his father Guy served as Worshipful Master of the same Lodge in 1949, 1953 and 1954.
John managed his family’s business from 1972 until February 1975. Moved to Decatur, AL in March of 1975. Petitioned Rising Sun Lodge for dual membership in 1992. Served as Worshipful Master of Rising Sun Lodge #29 1999 – 2000. Received his Grand Lodge Proficiency Certificate in August 2000. Served as District Lecturer of District 5 from 2003 until 2007 and from 2008 until 2011.
Elected Junior Grand Warden in November 2011. Elected Senior Grand Warden in November, 2012. Elected Deputy Grand Master in November, 2013. Elected Grand Master in November, 2014.
A member of First Baptist Church Decatur where he volunteers in numerous capacities such as choir, kitchen duties, building maintenance, consulting, managing repair, renovation and remodeling projects.
A member of Decatur York Rite Bodies, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite Valley of Huntsville Orient of Alabama, Cahaba Shrine, Past Worthy Patron, Mary Lou Dancy Chapter 320 Order of the Eastern Star, Royal Order of Scotland, Grand Priory of America. Employed by Advanced Building Systems, Inc., a Decatur based General Contracting Company, as President and CEO from 1980 until 2011. Managing Member of Greystone Properties of Decatur, LLC., a real estate development company from 2000 until present.
John and his wife Sue reside in Decatur, AL. John has 5 children and 8 grandchildren. His youngest son, Jason, is serving as Grand Orator this year and his youngest daughter, Michelle has edited the Masonic Newsletter the past two years.
