DeVanté Strickland, age 27, unexpectedly passed away on Sunday, July 26th, 2020. DeVanté was born in Columbus, OH on Wednesday March 24, 1993 to Amanda Strickland and Marc Cox. Growing up DeVanté had a passion for football, he played for The Columbus Jaguars, Marion Franklin High School and went on to Kent State where he started seven games as a linebacker for The Golden Flashes in 2012 and finished the season with 18 tackles which he helped lead the team to The MAC Championship. He ranked sixth on the team with 53 tackles as a junior. In December of 2015 he graduated from The Kent State University with a degree in Physical Education with emphasis in coaching. DeVanté was a self-employed moving contractor, he enjoyed music, cracking jokes, throwing cookouts and spending time with family and friends.


At the age of 14, DeVanté fell in love with his high school sweetheart, DaZhane’ and started a beautiful family with two boys and soon expecting their first baby girl.


DeVanté was preceded in death by his grandparents, Curtis & Izola Strickland Sr; and father, Marc Cox. Loving memories are cherished by his children, Mekhi and Mikel Strickland; lifetime partner DaZhané Forrest (Jomala Perkins); mother, Amanda Strickland; aunts, Patrice, Sheila, and Nancy; uncles, Curtis Jr and Otis Strickland, Tony, and Keith; sisters Dajane, Brittany, Tenequa, Denisha, Erica, and Diamond; brother, Marcus; cousins Destiny and Carlisa; grandparents, Donald and Gloria Cox; and a host of friends.


DeVanté you will be missed, and forever celebrated.


Love Always,
Your Family and Friends