Charles A. Stryker III, 85, died suddenly and peacefully on March 1, 2025, at his Sarasota home. He was born in Princeton, New Jersey, on January 14, 1940, to Ann Finnegan and Charlie Stryker. They lived at 6 Fisher Avenue and spanned three generations in Princeton.
Charlie graduated from Princeton High School in 1957 and enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. He was stationed three years just outside of London and traveled Europe on the RAF Mildenhall basketball team. He was always playing sports, especially baseball and basketball. He was a longtime member of the Harrison Street Athletic Club headed by Bob Smythe. He caught the golf bug caddying at the Princeton Springdale Golf Club.
After his four-year Air Force service, he worked and saved to go to college. A Princeton friend, the Reverend Colin L. Leitch, introduced him to Florida State University. At FSU, he majored in International Affairs with a concentration in U.S. history. Working hard, he was able to graduate in less than three years.After graduating from FSU, Charles started his marketing career. He spent 20 years as a sales executive with Xerox Corporation and another six leading Apple’s Florida’s education market.
Charles left the corporate world for academia and pursued a M.A. degree in History at the University of South Florida. He spent 15 years teaching U.S. history at Hillsborough Community College and USF. He thoroughly enjoyed teaching and influenced many students beyond his subject area with his encouragement and life experiences.
Charlie has always been a volunteer with political campaigns and community projects. He took his civic duties very seriously and made a difference. He mentored students, read to preschoolers, led organizations and served on lifelong learning boards.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Dr. Laurey T. Stryker; daughter Nicole Keating and son-in-law Kevin Keating, Orlando, Florida; daughter Erin Lee and son-in-law Allan Lee, Alexandria, Virginia; grandchildren Karly, Kelly; and Conrad; sisters Suzanne Meagher of Yarmouth, Mass., Cathy Brennan and Bob Brennan of Vienna, Va.; brothers Michael Stryker and sister-in-law Barbara Stryker of Houston, Texas; Bill Stryker (deceased) and sister-in-law Kathy Stryker of Malvern, Pennsylvania.
He is buried with military honors at the Sarasota National Cemetery.
