Dateline: August 30, 2007

Marion Dave Garland, 71, died August 26, 2007.  Church services were held Tuesday, August 28, 2007, at 1:30 p.m. at Sunray Baptist Church in Sunray, with Brother Philip Hilton, pastor, officiating.  Graveside services followed at Citizens Cemetery and included Masonic and Military ceremonies.

Marion Dave Garland was born May 20, 1936, in Donley County, to A.J. and Alberta Garland.  He received a Bachelor’s Degree in Agronomy from Texas Tech University in Lubbock.  He married Ginny Garland in 1961 in Frederick, Maryland.  He and his wife moved to Sunray in 1967.  They farmed for 46 years and owned Seed, Inc. for 20 years.

Marion was a member and deacon of Sunray Baptist Church, a member of Sunray Lion’s Club, Past Master of Dumas Masonic Lodge #1009 AF&AM, Past Master of Clarendon Masonic Lodge #700 AF&AM, active in the American Agriculture Movement, served on the Moore County Crops Committee, and was a member of the Southern Seed Association.  He served in the Army  at Fort Detrick, Frederick, Maryland, where he worked in germ warfare.

He was survived by his wife of 46 years, Ginny Garland; one son, Allen Garland of Sunray; one daughter Kelly Strawn and husband, Duane Strawn, of Mansfied, Texas; three grandchildren, Bethany Garland, ShaLee Strawn, and Tyler Strawn; one brother, Jimmy Garland and wife, Audrey of Goodnight; one nephew, Stan Garland and wife, Jaimie of Waco; one niece, Twanna Kiker and husband, Richie of Allison; several great nieces and nephews, cousins, and a host of friends.

The family suggests memorials be made to Sunray Baptist Church, P.O. Box 550, Sunray, Texas 79086, or Memorial Hospice, 224 East 2nd Street, Dumas, Texas 79029