Bruce Guy Land's Obituary
BRUCE GUY LAND, 86, of Las Colinas, went peacefully to be with his Lord and Savior on May 13, 2025. Born on February 23, 1939, in Pryor, Oklahoma to Eva and Guy Land, he graduated from Sunset High School, Dallas, Texas, where he lettered in football and baseball, and was a proud Bison. Bruce graduated from Lamar University, where he was a scholarship running back on the Cardinals football team and had the honor of playing in the Tangerine Bowl. Upon returning to Dallas, Bruce continued his football career as a running back for the Dallas Rockets. Bruce credited football for many of the blessings in his life, including meeting his beautiful wife, Barbara, when he was a teacher and coach at T.W. Brown Jr. High School and she was a student teacher. In furtherance of his education, he received his M. Ed. from the University of North Texas.
Bruce was a teacher and football and track coach for 46 years in the Dallas Independent School District, where he coached many winning teams and made lifelong friends. Prior to his retirement from coaching, he served as the head football coach and athletic director of Woodrow Wilson High School, taking them to a District Championship for the first time in over 20 years. Bruce served as past-President of the Dallas Coaches Association, was named Coach of Year, and received the prestigious Denius Excellence Award from the University Interscholastic League. Coach Land impacted thousands of student athletes, many of whom have kept in touch through the years.
Bruce is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Barbara Dale Buckner Land, who he affectionately called “Buckie,” his cherished daughters and sons-in-law, Kimberly and Philip Cormier and Stacy and Daniel Odom; granddaughters Lily and Olivia Cormier, and grandsons Riley and Mason Odom; his sisters Norma Jennings and Rita Turns (Craig), and brothers Stephen and Stanley Land (Donna); numerous nephews, nieces, and many loyal friends. Bruce was preceded in death by his brother-in-law, John “Nonnie” Jennings, with whom he is surely sharing a piece of pecan pie in Heaven.
In later years, Bruce preferred to spend much of his time at the lake house on Cedar Creek Lake, watching the sunrise and birds while he waited for the NASCAR race to start, working on the never-ending chore list, and spending time with his family. Bruce was fiercely loyal and generous, hardworking and steadfast, funny and loving. He lived his life in this order: God. Family. Football. You were loved, Pappaw, and you will be dearly missed by all.
A Celebration of Life is scheduled for Tuesday, May 20th, at Restland Memorial Chapel. The family will receive friends at 1:00 pm, with the funeral service to follow at 2:00 pm, and a procession to the graveside immediately thereafter. Memorials may be made to Tunnel to Towers Foundation or the Wounded Warrior Project.
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