Judge (Ret.) John Henry Land

Funeral services will be held on Monday, December 5, 2011 at 3 :00 p.m. in the Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, Macon Road Chapel with Dr. James C. Elder, Jr and Reverend Hank Reeves officiating. A committal service with military honors will be held in Parkhill Cemetery following the service in the chapel. Pallbearers will be Jack Land, Ted Land, Clay Land, Jay Land, Brian Parker and Floyd Washington. Herbert Bowick will serve as an honorary pallbearer. The family will receive friends on Sunday, December 4, 2011 from 4 until 6 p.m.

Judge Land was born June 12, 1918 in Columbus, GA son of the late Aaron Brewster Land and Mattie Miller Land. He was a graduate of the Muscogee County School System, and he was also a graduate of the University of Georgia Class of 1939 where he earned his L.L.B degree. After college, he joined the U. S. Army in 1941 as a Private rising to the rank of Major before being honorably discharged in 1946.

After serving his country, Judge Land began a successful and varied career of public service. He served in the Georgia Legislature as a Senator from 1949-1950. Judge Land then began his law practice soon being tapped as Solicitor General of the Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit in June of 1955 by then Governor Marvin Griffin. He served as Solicitor until he was selected Judge of the Superior Court taking office on December 02, 1964. He served in this role for 24 years retiring on January 01, 1989, only to continue serving as Senior Judge of the Superior Courts of Georgia for several more years. Even in retirement he remained active in the political arena of both Columbus and the state.

Judge Land also was active in the community where he and his wife attended First Baptist Church of Columbus. Judge Land was also a member of the University of Georgia Alumni, Gridiron Club, Mt. Hermon Masonic Lodge, Columbus-Ft. Benning Shrine Club, State Bar of Georgia, Columbus Bar Association, VFW and American Legion. Judge Land was a former member of the Elks Club, Moose Lodge and the Columbus Exchange Club.

Judge Land was preceded in death by his parents, a daughter, Karen Parcerisas of Barcelona, Spain; nine siblings, Ernest Clyde (Emma) Land, Geneva, GA, Aaron Oliver (Sylvia) Land, Shreveport, LA, Luther Vernon (Beulah) Land, Columbus, GA, Brewster Miller (Doris) Land, Columbus, GA, Ellis Brooks (Thelma) Land, Columbus, GA, Arthur Perry (Alice) Land, Bossier City, LA, Mary Angeline (Hollis) Sands, Columbus, GA, Martha Lena (Richard) Chaplin, Columbus, GA and Sara Elisabeth (Ferguson)Davis of Columbus, GA.

Survivors include his wife, Mary L. (Bishop) Land of Columbus, GA; four children, John H. (Nancy) Land, III of Pike Road, AL, Martha Miller (Jens) Christensen, Copenhagen, Denmark, Jeffrey Brooks (Marsha) Land, Kennesaw, GA, and Jere Wilson (Mary Lou) Land, Houston, TX; three dear step-children, Forest (Butch) Bowyer, Phenix City, AL, Linda (Lee) McDaniel, Columbus, GA and Sherry (Mark) Boyette of Hamilton, GA; twelve grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews.

The family would like to offer a special thank you to Dr. Charles Calhoun, Dr. Harvey Harris, Dr. Todd Jerrell, Eloise Blanton, Cleo Carr, Matt Everson and Columbus Hospice for their love, care and support during the difficult time. Your support, wisdom and love have been of immeasurable value to our family.

Flowers will be accepted or donations may be made in his memory to Columbus Hospice, 7020 Moon Road, Columbus, GA 31909 or www.columbushospice.com.