Earl Reeder Land, 84, of Memphis passed away on March 20, 2012. Beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, Earl was an Army Veteran and a graduate of Memphis State University and founder of Land Home Improvement Company. Earl was a sportsman in every sense of the word. An avid deep sea fisherman and lover of Destin, Florida, he achieved his Captain's license with the United States Coast Guard. Earl was proud to have participated in the last 59 duck hunting seasons in Arkansas with his closest friends and hunters. A true Sinatra fan, he counts among his favorites the song "My Way" which is also the way he lived his life. In his words, his philosophy of life: "Try to have a good outlook everyday. Live each day to the fullest; everything is possible." Earl did just that and will be greatly missed by his family and friends. Earl was preceded in death by his parents Mr. and Mrs. A.G. Land and siblings Hamilton Land, Annie Eichelberger, Malissa Rector, Laura Harris and William Land and son-in-law Steve Gabel. Survivors include his wife of 59 years Martha Land; daughters Cynthia (Terry) Ray and Laura (Chris) Johnson; grandchildren Jennifer (Lawrence) Dow, Kristin (Spence) Hope, Stephen Johnson and Sarah Johnson and great-grandson, Vaughan Dow. He is also survived by a brother G.W. Land of Columbus, MS and numerous nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory to Fayette County Animal Rescue, P.O. Box 44, Rossville, TN, 38066 or Ducks Unlimited online memorial www.ducks.org/tributes/EarlLand. Services will be 2 p.m. Saturday, March 24 at Forest Hill East Funeral Home with visitation two hours prior.

Forest Hill East Funeral Home

901-382-1000