Joe DiMaggio (1914-1999) and Harry Land (1922-2015) pose for a picture c.1943 during World War II.



HARRY M. LAND SR.
1922 - 2015 Obituary Condolences


Portsmouth - Harry Melton Land, Sr. passed away December 2, 2015. He was born to the late Lester T. and Sallie S. Land on May 18, 1922.

One of Harry's passions in life was baseball. He signed a contract with the Chicago Cubs at the age of 18. During World War II he played on the Army base team with major league players such as the great Joe DiMaggio. In 1947 he was beaned in the left eye and his vision was never the same. He finished his career as a manager with the Portsmouth Merrimacs. He also worked for Hoffman Beverage for 34 years and was a local umpire for 25 years.

Left to cherish his memory is his loving wife of 28 years Clara Land and her two daughters, Pennie and her husband, Ronnie and Joan and her husband, Jimmy including 5 nieces and nephews; his son, Harry Butch Land and his daughter, Heather Clark and her husband Jim and their three children; grandchildren David Stallard and Melissa Keown; two brothers, Ira and Tom; a sister, Marion; and 22 nieces and nephews.

Harry is preceded in death by his daughter, Brenda Stallard; brothers, Wade, Lester, Jr. and Leroy; and sisters, Mary Ruth, Millie and Irene.

A memorial service will start at 1 p.m. Saturday, December 5, 2015 at Cradock Baptist Church in Portsmouth. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Cradock Baptist Church or the Alzheimer's Association. in memory of his daughter, Brenda. Sturtevant Funeral Home, Portsmouth Blvd. Chapel, assisted the family.