Dr. Garry A. Land's Obituary
Dr. Garry A. Land, MD, 80 of rural Clinton, passed away unexpectedly, June 14, 2025, at his home.
Memorial Services will be 10:30am, Thursday, June 19, 2025, at the First Baptist Church in Clinton. A private burial will be in the Smith Cemetery with military honors being conducted by the Clinton AMVETS Post #28. Visitation will be Wednesday from 4:00-7:00pm at the First Baptist Church.
Garry Arnold Land was born on February 20, 1945 in Knox City, Texas, the son of J. Arnold and Virginia (Lain) Land. He was a graduate of Goree High School, Hardin-Simmons University (ROTC Cadet Military Honor Graduate), and earned his medical degree from The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. He married Sandra Yates on December 28, 1967, in Goree, Texas.
Garry served 11 years in the United States Army during the Vietnam Era, stationed 3 of those years in Germany. His final year in Germany was as Commander of the Troop Clinic in Kitzingen. Upon returning to the United States he was stationed at Ft. Bliss in El Paso, TX, where he was Commander of the Emergency Room and the International Troop Clinic. He was next stationed at Fitzsimons Army Hospital in Aurora, CO, where he trained to be an Ophthalmologist. His final year of service was at Ft. Polk in Louisiana where he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Upon his Honorable discharge from the Army, he and his family moved to Clinton in 1980, where he was an Ophthalmologist until his retirement in 2012.
Garry’s joy was his family, and he lived life to the fullest. He never hesitated to share with others his pride in his girls, sons-in-law and grandkids. It wasn’t unusual to find all of them together for “family lunch Friday”. He was a proud conservative and made sure that his family was raised “right”.
A passionate outdoorsman, true friend, and lifelong fisherman; Garry’s deep love for rod building and the water was matched only by his generosity and unwavering spirit. He wasn’t just a craftsman, he was a mentor, a storyteller, and a bridge between tradition and innovation in rod building; Culminating in his induction into the Custom Rod Builders Guild Legacy Legions Hall of Fame. His legacy will live on in every rod built and every story shared on the water.
Garry is survived by his wife of 57 years: Sandra of Clinton; two daughters: Emily (Matt) Steenhard, Erin (Jason) George both of Clinton; three grandchildren: Reagan Steenhard, Ellery George, and Jack George; a brother: Mickey Land of St. Louis, Missouri, a sister: Sandra (Glendon) Hicks of Seymour, Texas; a sister-in-law Jamie Land of Comfort, Texas and many well loved nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother: Donny.
Memorials can be made to the organizations that his grandchildren loved most: Boy Scouts Troop 642, Gateway Contemporary Ballet, or the Carroll County Longspurs Trapshooting Team. Snell-Zornig Funeral Homes is assisting the family and additional obituary information can be found at www.snellzornig.com.
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