Leonard Dale “LD” Garland, 86, son of the late Jean (Garland) Hunter and stepson of the late Raymond Hunter, was born on Dec. 23, 1936 in Dogwood. He passed away on March 25, 2023. LD attended school in Ava, and graduated Ava High School, Class of 1955. While in high school, he excelled in football and his love for the game stayed with him his entire life. He enjoyed cheering for the Kansas City Chiefs and the Green Bay Packers. After graduating high school, L.D. enlisted in the United States Navy. He served four years on the aircraft carrier Franklin D Roosevelt sailing to France, Greece, Panama, Morocco, Trinidad and others, before receiving an honorable discharge. LD soon after enlisted in the United States Air Force and he honorably served his country for 20 more years before retiring and achieving the rank of Chief Master Sergeant. LD married Joella “Jo” Barr in 1960 at Little Creek Church in Hartville, and to this union two sons were born, Jeff and Bruce. They began their journey as a military family and lived all over the United States and briefly in Libya, but most of LD’s career was spent at the USAF Strategic Air Command near Omaha, Neb. LD and Jo returned to Hartville in 1993. After retiring from the Air Force, LD started a second career with Boeing. He worked there for 15 years and retired in 1993. LD was a hard worker, whether it was milking cows at seven years old, working the hay fields, or serving his country, he knew all about hard work. In later years, he purchased the Hartville Family Café. It was his pride and joy and he loved providing delicious, wholesome food to the community. LD gave his heart to Christ at an early age. He was a faithful member of the Hartville First Baptist Church. He had been a Sunday school teacher and was most recently overjoyed at the growth of his church. Every Sunday he would talk about how proud he was to see all the young families and couples in attendance. He loved to invite these new church families to lunch at the café, a treat from him of course! LD served on the Little Creek Cemetery Board. He loved serving his community, but he especially loved his family and the time he could spend with them. He enjoyed spending a lot of time traveling and seeing all there was to see. He had been to almost every state.
LD was preceded in death by his mother, Jean Hunter; his stepfather, Raymond Hunter; his wife, Joella; a son, Bruce; and a grandson, Aaron. Survivors include his son, Jeff Garland and wife, Mary, of Lee’s Summit; two grandchildren, Jonathan Garland and Bethany Garland Cross, both of Belton; three great-grandchildren, Sabella, Jaxton and Everley Cross; his fiancée, who lovingly took care of him for the last seven years, Betty Tooley, of Hartville; a brother, Michael Hunter and wife, Shine, of Nixa; a sister, Linda Payne and husband, Mason, of San Antonio, Texas; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Visitation for LD Garland was held Sunday, April 2, 2023, from 4-6 p.m. at Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home, Hartville. Funeral services were held Monday, April 3, 2023, 10 a.m. at the First Baptist Church, Hartville, with the Rev. Jeff Ward officiating. Song selections were, “Swing Low Sweet Chariot,” “Amazing Grace, My Chains Are Gone,” Well Done” and “Five More Minutes.” Terry Jones, Tyler Cross, Harry Tooley, Jonathan Garland, Michael Hunter and Carl Widner served as pallbearers. Burial with full military honors by the United States Air Force was held at Little Creek Cemetery, under the direction of Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home, Hartville. Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Online condolences: www.craighurttfuneralhome.com.
