Happy, emotionally distraught, positive, hopeful
Gage expressed himself through music, whether writing lyrics, creating beats, or recording songs. He was a bright and creative kid, on track to graduate from high school a year early, already dreaming of the future. He visualized attending trade school to become an electrician or going to law school to work as a criminal defense lawyer to help the wrongfully accused. In his future, he imagined having five kids and a Harley-Davidson motorcycle.
From an early age, Gage was known for his selfless and nonmaterialistic nature. He always insisted that his friends and family refrain from spending any money on him. Rather than be concerned about whether he had the newest style of clothing or gadgets, Gage was always more concerned with the wellbeing of others. While he did value looking presentable and tidy, he was never infatuated with consumer goods. He cared more about abundance for others than himself.
Gage’s selfless and caring nature extended to his interpersonal life. He was everybody’s best friend, loving to socialize and crack jokes. His relationship with his brother Gavin was remarkably close. He also had two younger siblings, Rebel, and Riot. His best friend Kevin, his cousin Big Gage, Dakota, Caleb, and Layla, are a few of the many people in Gage’s life who remember him fondly.
Gage loved anything with wheels. As a kid, he started rolling in a wagon and soon whipped through the neighborhood on rollerblades. From the blades, he learned to skateboard and then excelled in dirt bikes, golf carts, and four-wheelers. At 14, he started riding a moped. Unfortunately, that same year, Gage was in a violent moped accident. His forehead cracked a windshield, and he was unconscious for several minutes, suffering a broken right femur bone. While the medics thought he had brain damage, he recovered remarkably quickly without any long-term cognitive damage. Although his recovery was remarkable, he had to get a rod in his right leg, ending his basketball career. Despite the accident, Gage continued to love wheels, and would often embark on long drives. When he got his license at 16, he went on a memorable road trip to Colorado with some friends. Colorado was his favorite state, and he dreamed of moving there when he got older. He loved to travel and went to Phoenix, California, Wisconsin, Minneapolis, and Florida. Gage also loved the ocean and swimming, enjoying trips with the family to Disney World and on a Disney Cruise.
Substance use disorder warped Gage’s friendly and selfless nature, making him antisocial and unreliable. It was particularly hard for his family as Gage became increasingly combative. Despite all of the turmoil of substance use disorder in Gage’s life, his story has saved several of his friends from addiction. In his memory, Rebecca Strinklin, Gage’s mother, plans on opening an organization to support children who are missing parents. She wants to educate children about fentanyl while also providing productive outlets and positive role models to help guide them through adolescence. Rebecca states, “There are not enough treatment centers in Iowa for youth. They’re all full and as my son said before he passed away, ‘If I could get my mental health under control, I can get clean Mom.’” Gage is remembered for his smile, his laugh, his music, and his bright dreams.
Gage’s mother, Rebecca Stricklin, provided the information for this narrative
June 16, 2004-December 16, 2021-Age 17
Portrait Artist: Shawn Faust
Narrative Writer: Livia Cohen
