Theodore Joseph Strycharz, 41, of Tarpon Springs, Florida died September 24, 2021 in Safety Harbor, Florida. Teddy (TJ), was born in Trenton, New Jersey on March 26, 1980 to Theodore Mark Strycharz and Rosemary Hazel Huard.
TJ graduated high school in 1999 and immediately joined the United States Air Force. He married his wife, Kelley Michelle Cady, on January 16, 2002 while stationed at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. They shared nineteen beautiful years together.
TJ is survived by Kelley, his son, Tyler Steven, 19, his daughter, Kendall Ellen, 16, both of his parents, two sisters, Wendy Runyon and Rachel Lane, and two brothers, Donald Schuster and Mark Strycharz. TJ also leaves behind a loving extended family including his aunts and uncles, 10 nieces and nephews, his father and mother-in-law, Steve and Karen Cady, two brothers-in-law, three sisters-in-law and his Air Force family.
To know TJ was to love TJ. He gave the best bear hugs, he was the best jungle gym for the kids, and he was always the life of the party. When TJ walked into a room, it lit up. His smile and laugh were infectious. He was an avid snowboarder, golfer, and hockey player. TJ enjoyed tennis, darts, corn hole, cards and just about anything competitive. TJ coached his daughter in the Dunedin Little League Softball Association, a sport he loved to play as much as coach. He was always ready for an adventure or to learn something new. He loved music of all types and enjoyed dancing and singing along. He actually had a great voice! TJ was not only generous and caring toward his friends and family, he also dedicated time to volunteering with Habitat for Humanity and Sleep in Heavenly Peace. TJ truly lived life to its fullest.
TJ loved his family, his country, and his life. He served in the United States Air Force for more than twenty one years and deployed many times with the Red Horse Squadron as a heavy equipment operator. After Hurricane Katrina, he became an Air Force recruiter. TJ loved helping men and women who were affected by this tragedy find a new path in life. He received numerous honors throughout his career in the service. As a young enlisted man, he was selected Top 1 Flight Recruiter of the Year, Top Squadron 331R Recruiter of the Year, 331RCS Gold Badge Recruiter of the year, along with several others. TJ excelled at every venture he encountered. He was always prepared. TJ developed a plan for a future outside the service. He attended Belleview University and graduated in 2020 with a degree in Management Information Systems. He retired from the Air Force on July 1, 2020 and began a career with Sigma Defense in September 2020.
“Our joys will be greater, our love will be deeper, our life will be fuller because we shared your moments.”
Services and Ceremonies entrusted to Veterans Funeral Care in Clearwater, FL.
A Celebration of Life and Memorial Service will take place on Monday October 11th, 2021 from 1:00pm to 2:30pm at Veterans Funeral Care (830 N. Belcher Rd, Clearwater). All who knew and loved him are encouraged to attend. TJ will be placed at rest with Military Honors on Tuesday October 12th at 10:00am at Bay Pines National Cemetery. If planning to attend at Bay Pines, please arrive only 15-20 mins before service time.
The Strycharz family wishes to share a genuine and heartfelt Thank You to all who have been supportive during this most difficult time.
Our hearts are broken for loosing such an amazing friend. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Kelley, Tyler, Kendall, and the entire Strycharz and Cady families. May God give you strength and comfort through this difficult time. Rest In Peace our friend. Until we meet again.
To my loving daughter-in-law Kelley and my grand children Tyler & Kendall we will get thru this together! We are very fortunate to have a loving family for support. I love you very much
May you find peace at this mist difficult time. “Earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal.” Prayers going up 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
Sending much love and strength to Kelley, Tyler, Kendall and all who loved TJ.
I am lost for words that Kelly and her children have to bear this pain. And tj’s family too…I spent many fun times with tj and his family when he was growing up.. I have many fond memories… my deepest condolences to all.. REST IN PEACE TJ.. LOVE TO ALL
We were so sorry to hear about your terrible loss
He was so young
We’ve been praying for all of you
You know you always have friends in Navarre
God Bless you with his presence and healing
All our love
We are so sorry for your loss. We are thinking of all of you and wishing you peace during this difficult time. May you find comfort in the memories and love that you all have. Rest In Peace TJ.
We will love you forever, TJ/Uncle TJ. You meant so very much to our family. You were the best Uncle & friend. Your absence willl be felt for the rest of our lives.
Kelley, Tyler & Kendall, we will take care of you always. We love you so much.
Kelley,
I sit here at a loss for words. Over the last year, TJ has made my move to Tampa and the new job such an enjoyable experience. He was such a big personality. I will forever miss how he could make anyone smile. Whether by a joke or helping hand, he always knew how to bring the joy out of anybody.
I don’t know if I told you this but the wife and I got a new puppy this year. I will always remember TJ texting me multiple times asking for puppy updates and pictures. I will always cherish how he took time to check on us and Eleanor Rigby.
As always, if you or the family need anything in the present or future please reach out.
Jake & Jen Bullock
I just found out about TJ’s loss a few hours ago. I’m still in shock and at a loss for words..Although I haven’t seen him in a couple years, I still remember vividly TJ’smile and his love for life.
My heart felt wishes for healing from his loss and prayers go to Kelley, Tyler, Kendal, and their families in this difficult time.
TJ you’ll live forever in our hearts.
Not a day will be the same. The couple of years at DGS laughing about work pushing out the the button on those negative energy COWGIRLS FANS! Playing cards, dominos and enjoying are EAGLES! Man its truly sad. I know my friend is up there with his EAGLES shirt on hating on those Cowboys still but looking over his Family and Friends and saying I am a lucky man to have such wonderful people around me. To the Strycharz Family I send you a Hug and prayers.
Our heart goes out to you and his beloved family .He will be always with you ❤ Love will surround and support your family at this difficult time.Our deepest condolences.
Dear Rosie and Joe ; sooo incredibly sad to hear of ur son’s passing …. HEARTBREAKING💔💔💔. We are so sorry you have to endure this incredible pain….. We love you, Linda and Ed
My sincerest condolences to Kelley, children, parents, to all who loved him. What an incredible human being. He was an Earth angel. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Sending you all my love. God bless. And may TJ rest in eternal peace and love.
Rosie,Joey,Kelley,Tyler and Miss Kendall,
Words cannot express my deep heartache with the loss of TJ!….I feel so blessed to have met such an amazing young man! He was a very special blessing who was meant to touch many lives for the better of humanity. I believe that when we are called our job here is complete. We will always love and miss him but he excelled in his life’s mission! Much love and prayers to all of you!
Michelle
Our hearts go out to you this sad time. We are sending our love and prayers to all of your family.
I loved reading about my larger than life brother and recounting his multitude of contributions to this place and to others…knowing still, the recountings are merely a glimpse, shearly skimming the surface. I can still hardly believe this is now reality.
He certainly packed more life into his emblematic 41 years than many who live to embrace 100.
I am deeply saddened when I venture to places he would love and I realize he will not be able to join anytime soon…
I have uncovered sports bars and towns and mountains he would summit; at the same time, when I explore and adventurously embrace life, I feel connected to my brother in the most treasured of ways, through what I believe is one of his most profound legacies.
Had it not been for his brotherly example of compassion harmonized with a call to personal responsibility and sticktoitiveness, I might would have deteriorated amidst early life adversity. But, he always raised the bar and hung the moon. “There there, hug hug, you’re fine…get up and walk”….perhaps a suiting synopsis of this figure.
I cherish his silly and his pensive and delicately fold his interspersed encouragements into my lifesong …
To the brother who quietly, non-confrontationally “got me”.
I fabulously agree when I read about his loud, about his effervescence and boisterous; yet, I have always perceived my brother’s innate recesses as “quiet”. Quiet, contemplative, careful, a bit mysterious.
There are no proper words to express this loss and my heart goes out to all in his sphere who are grieving, as we will each be altered.
All, especially, all my love to those who will be learning to again breathe.
TJ is now your angel watching down upon you and your children. He is now your guardian angel and will always be your protector.
Just know this my sweet cousin ❤️
He loved you with all of his being, he was fighting the whole time for you. He woke up because of you, your touch, your voice, your presence. He was fighting every step of the way. The love you two share is a strong love that brought him back to you. If only for a few days, he was able to come back to you and see your face one last time. A true miracle❤️ Our hearts are with you sweetheart. I am here for you always. TJ was a wonderful family man, Husband, Daddy, cousin, son and everything in between. We will all miss him dearly!!! Until we meet again Cousin TJ. We love you Kelley, Kendall and Tyler and are here for you always and forever❤️
I loved reading about my larger than life brother and recounting his multitude of contributions to this place and to others…knowing still, the recountings are merely a glimpse, shearly skimming the surface. I can still hardly believe this is now reality.
He certainly packed more life into his emblematic 41 years than many who live to embrace 100.
I am deeply saddened when I venture to places he would love and I realize he will not be able to join anytime soon…
I have uncovered sports bars and towns and mountains he would summit; at the same time, when I explore and adventurously embrace life, I feel connected to my brother in the most treasured of ways, through what I believe is one of his most profound legacies.
Had it not been for his brotherly example of compassion harmonized with a call to personal responsibility and sticktuitiveness, I might would have deteriorated amidst early life adversity. But, he always raised the bar and hung the moon. “There there, hug hug, you’re fine…get up and walk”….perhaps a suiting synopsis of this figure.
I cherish his silly and his pensive and delicately fold his interspersed encouragements into my lifesong …
To the brother who quietly, non-confrontationally “got me”.
I fabulously agree when I read about his loud, about his effervescence and boisterous; yet, I have always perceived my brother’s innate recesses as “quiet”. Quiet, contemplative, careful, a bit mysterious.
There are no proper words to express this loss and my heart goes out to all in his sphere who are grieving, as we will each be altered.
And all my love to those who will be learning to again breathe.
I loved reading about my larger than life brother and recounting his multitude of contributions to this place and to others…knowing still, the recountings are merely a glimpse, shearly skimming the surface. I can still hardly believe this is now reality.
He certainly packed more life into his emblematic 41 years than many who live to embrace 100.
I am deeply saddened when I venture to places he would love and I realize he will not be able to join anytime soon…
I have uncovered sports bars and towns and mountains he would summit; at the same time, when I explore and adventurously embrace life, I feel connected to my brother in the most treasured of ways, through what I believe is one of his most profound legacies.
Had it not been for his brotherly example of compassion harmonized with a call to personal responsibility and sticktuitiveness, I might would have deteriorated amidst early life adversity. But, he always raised the bar and hung the moon. “There there, hug hug, you’re fine…get up and walk”….perhaps a suiting synopsis of this figure.
I cherish his silly and his pensive and delicately fold his interspersed encouragements into my lifesong …
To the brother who quietly, non-confrontationally “got me”.
I fabulously agree when I read about his loud, about his effervescence and boisterous; yet, I have always perceived my brother’s innate recesses as “quiet”. Quiet, contemplative, careful, a bit mysterious.
There are no proper words to express this loss and my heart goes out to all in his sphere who are grieving, as we will each be altered.
And all my love to those who will be learning to, again, breathe.
TJ will be missed by his friends and teammates at Special Operations Command. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this trying time.
I may of not known TJ personally but I have known Kelley and her family my whole life just about. She is and always will be a sister to me. I’m so deeply sorry for their loss of TJ whom was so young and full of life from what I’ve heard. May he Rest In Peace. I’m sincere condolences go out to Kelley and her kids and the whole family.
We will miss TJ’s smile and contagious personality. His presence is already missed. Sincere condolence to the family, may God’s presence be with you throughout this time. SOCOM Family!
Sorry to hear this. I grew up in Teddys neighborhood and every once in awhile I think back what happened to those guys. Years ago I saw he joined the Air Force like me and today it hit me again to look only to see he passed away last month. So sad! My condolences to his family. RIP Teddy
Holy fucking shit i cant believe this. I was stationed with TJ at.”vandyland” when he was a two striper (A1C) and then 13-ish years later in Biloxi when we were both in Cyber Security tech school (we were both TSgts then). TJ was always a good guy, I cant believe hes gone. What happened??? Heart attack or something? Rest in peace my old friend. – Pryor