Who is Taylor Strickland?
Taylor was a young man who lived out his faith and was dedicated to his family and friends. Taylor was a young man who lived out his faith and was dedicated to his family and friends. He, his mom Toni, and his dad Tim lived in Alpharetta, Georgia, where they were active members of their church as a family. Throughout Taylor’s life, he pursued serving others through missions at home and abroad. He was a dedicated leader of a middle school group and mentored young men during their most important formative years. He was an Eagle Scout. He loved the outdoors and high adventure including fishing, snowboarding, scuba diving, boating and wake boarding. Taylor loved sports and was a skilled wrestler. Taylor’s faith led him to be baptized on a mission trip with his family when he was 12.
Taylor unfortunately left us much too soon on September 6, 2016, at 23 years old. Taylor was involved in a fatal car accident, which claimed his life on his way from his job in Alpharetta to a work project in North Carolina. His beloved dog Axle lives with Taylor’s parents and brings great joy to those who know him!
Nothing Left Unsaid
When Taylor passed away, one thing his parents held onto was that nothing was left unsaid between them. Taylor knew he was fully and completely loved by them, and they knew he loved them by his words and actions in life. From that, the phrase “nothing left unsaid” was coined by the Stricklands to encourage us all to take any opportunity to say what needs to be said to others.
The Scholarships
Taylor’s family and friends recognize young men who go over and above exemplifying the character traits that they feel made the biggest impact on Taylor’s life: namely faith, leadership, service to others and a love of the outdoors. Christ in the Smokies (CITS) and Scouting America High Adventure Treks are two experiences that helped shape who he was.
Recipients of Taylor’s Legacy Scholarship
Event Scholarship
Way of Wisdom (WOW) helps men 50+ answer the “Why am I here”?
During the evenings, instructors facilitated interactive content with a view towards finishing well and how to gain understanding of your unique contribution for the days ahead. Christ in the Smokies offers adventures at all their retreats keeping in mind that men are born with adventure in their hearts. This retreat featured fly-fishing instruction focused on the latest techniques with valuable time on the water. As one man described that time “being in the water alone and being quiet brought clarity in the spiritual growth of learning more about who we are as men and what we are passing onto to others”.
Daniel & Ethan Watkins
Daniel attended Christ in the Smokies in 2019 with an older son and returned this year with Ethan for the adventure and teaching. He recognized “I’m not here just to help him become a better man, I’m here to actually become a better man myself.” His intentionality paid off in many ways especially relationally. Ethan said “spending time with my dad was my favorite and most meaningful part.”
Ken & Cole Grubbs
Ken and Cole travelled to the Smoky Mountains from Florida as they committed time away before Cole launches out on his own. They both agreed it was time well spent “creating that space to be vulnerable with each other and actually talk and have conversations.” Cole said there was “a lot of bonding time that we normally wouldn’t get and am hoping we continue that when we get back”. These comments closely shadow the TSLF motto of “Nothing Left Unsaid” and we are overjoyed that Ken and Cole were able to do just that.
Taylor’s Blog
The Adventure of a Lifetime
written by Toni Strickland In the spring of 2015, Tim invited Taylor to attend a father-son retreat in Colorado and Taylor said yes without hesitation. June came, and I dropped them at the airport, bags packed, hearts open for whatever lay ahead. Off they went, a father and son embarking on what would be an…
