SHORT NOTICE: CONFIRMED: Clay Edward Garland, Veteran, US Army, Vietnam, New Braunfels Police Officer Retired (202-23) 22 Sep 23
2117 Harry Wurzbach Rd
San Antonio, TX 78209
USA
“SHORT NOTICE”
US ARMY VETERAN – VIETNAM WAR/ NEW BRAUNFELS POLICE OFFICER – RETIRED
The family of Mr. Clay Edward Garland, a US Army Veteran, requests the presence and participation of the San Antonio Patriot Guard at the graveside rendering of military honors of their loved one. We are honored to accept this invitation.
Clay was born to Theodore Ashby “Red” Garland and Dangelene “Danny” (Huffman) Garland on November 15, 1945, in his father’s home city and state: August County (Staunton) Virginia.) Within a couple of years, the family moved to the Ft. Worth, Texas area where Clay attended his first few years of school at D. McRae Elementary. From there, the family moved to Glen Rose, Texas—living for two years in between in San Angelo—then returning to Glen Rose until Clay joined the Army at age 18. Clay Garland was “one of a kind” among many men in this world. As a boy, he loved the land we grew up on, loved swimming and fishing, hunting, and just being with nature. Even as a boy, he had a true sense of honor, despite all his boyish pranks. He was somewhat like a candy Easter egg—brave and tough and stern as nails on the outside and soft and sweet on the inside. Always kind and caring to those who needed help or tenderness—whether they be human or animal. Always a fair man and well-respected. To know Clay was to appreciate and respect the person he was.
In the Army, he served a total of six years, including tours in Korea and in Viet Nam. Other duty stations included Ft. Polk, Louisiana, Ft. McClellan, Alabama, and Ft. Bragg, North Carolina. He was declared an Expert Marksman and Sharpshooter of the M-14 and was in charge of munitions a good deal of his service time. Clay received the National Defense Service Medal, along with several other medals.
Clay married Deanna May Curtis in 1968 in Poolville, NY, and they had one son, Ronnie Clay Garland in 1970. Upon separating from the Army, Clay returned to San Marcos, Texas where the rest of his family was then living. Having a love for motorcycles, he worked as a motor-cycle mechanic for a time, and then as a mechanic for Simon-Gregg Ford. In the early-1970’s, along with many, many other post-war marriages, Clay, and Deanna’s marriage amicably dissolved.
Later, Clay met his second wife, Karen Elaine Sitzer (a high school teacher) and they spent 42 happy years together before her passing. Ultimately, they moved to New Braunfels where he enjoyed a career in law enforcement as a Deputy in the Comal County Sheriff’s Department. He did patrol duty out in the county, conducted high water rescues when there were floods, or when there were problems with college kids, swimmers, and tubers in the rivers on holidays. He later became what the Department affectionately called The Armorer, in charge of weapons and munitions. He was the Range Master for the Department during part of his career, and conducted weapons training, and qualification of new recruits, as well as re-qualify officers annually. Clay was honored with the title of Law Man of the Year during his tenure with Comal County, and when he turned 75, just for grins, he went to the range and took the shooting test. He hit all of his shots in the bullseye, 100% at the required distance for testing. He was so proud of himself that day.
Clay was highly respected and befriended by all his co-workers and most everyone he met. He had a couple of serious hobbies as well. He loved white water rafting and placed 3rd in the San Marcos River Safari in 1973. Next to guns and munitions, Clay loved Harleys. Everything was Harleys and Harleys were everything! Pictures of himself on Harleys all over his home, all his clothes were Levi’s and Harley shirts. He was a member of the Gruene Harley-Davidson H.O.G. chapter until death.
In the summer of 2022, Clay contracted a fungus called Histoplasmosis, and it permeated his entire body within the year. It is unknown exactly how he acquired the disease. He was in and out of hospitals and physical rehab centers for months, always immobile, losing weight rapidly and finally was on hospice the month of August and passed away in his home. For the entire duration of Clay’s illness, he NEVER gave up. He wanted to get well and, even though he had lost roughly 100 pounds, he was still very emotionally strong and almost willing himself to live until he just could no longer physically go on. The family wishes to thank his doctors, the nurses and staff of Sundance Rehab in New Braunfels, Senior Paths Caretaking Service, and Caring Hands Hospice for all their dedicated care and benevolence.
Clay was preceded in death by his parents (both died in their mid-50’s); his wife, Karen (2017); a grandson, Matthew Wayne Garland (2023); niece, Lisa Michelle (Garland) Hermes (2014); and several aunts, uncles, and cousins, both in Virginia and Texas.
Left behind to mourn his passing are his son, Ronnie Clay Garland, his grandchildren Daniel Thomas Garland (wife, Felicia Helms Garland) of New Braunfels; granddaughter Ashleigh Leanne Garland (Oklahoma), granddaughter-in-law Misty Garland of New Braunfels; step-grandson Dustin Black Lazenby (New Braunfels) and Samantha Dawn Lazenby (San Marcos); great-grandsons, Johnathan Taylor Garland and Lyric Kade Garland: A brother, Ted Garland and sister-in-law Jacqui Garland (New Braunfels), Sisters Betty Garland Harkins (Converse); Estella Garland Greenway and brother-in-law Brett Greenway (Florida), and numerous nieces and nephews and grand nieces and nephews, a host of cousins, and Ronnie’ mother (Clay’s first wife) Deanna May Curtis Haner and her husband, Wayne Haner (New Braunfels), and so many, many very close friends.
May God now take Clay home to rest in peace. The family wishes to thank Clay’s doctors, the nurses and staff of Sundance Rehab in New Braunfels, Senior Paths Home Caretaking, and Caring Hands Hospice for their dedicated care and benevolence during his long illness.
THE FAMILY WOULD LIKE US TO TRANSPORT THE URN
WEATHER: Hi 99 / Lo 77, 0% Chance of Rain, 93% Humidity, Wind: 6 mph SSE
REQUESTOR: Betty Harkins, Sister
STAGING: 9:15 am, Friday, September 22, 2023
Ebb Tide Lounge
2117 Harry Wurzbach Road
San Antonio, Texas 78209
https://goo.gl/maps/4sMDzLt1L3RavAzh7
BRIEFING: 9:30 am
KSU: 10:00 am (Semper Gumby)
INTERMENT: 10:15 am – Shelter #2 (Call to Verify)
Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery
1520 Harry Wurzbach Road
San Antonio, Texas 78209
https://goo.gl/maps/Q9DUsYSBUS92
RC: Tom “Tom Cat” Wilson
tomcatwilson2019@gmail.com
FC: Rich “Pach” Pachecano
rich@pachecano.net
ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS
1. Iron horses if you can, cages are always welcome and appreciated and unless under special circumstances not allowed in processions. You do not have to have a motorcycle to participate in honoring our veterans.
2. Safety First: Please remember to properly hydrate (including the night before) before any outdoor activity and to dress appropriately. Do not hesitate to take a break at any time if you feel you need to get in the shade or get indoors and always ask for help at any time. Also please do not forget your sun screen.
3. Please remember that our mission is to stand tall and silent, and with honor and. NO TALKING, SMOKING, CHEWING OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS, OR CELL PHONE USE IN THE FLAG LINE!
***Safety Notice***
Before volunteering and/or attending any San Antonio Patriot Guard Riders missions we encourage you to review all safety information below. Included are some potential safety concerns to be aware of, however this does not include the full scope of all potential hazards. Anyone attending any San Antonio Patriot Guard Riders mission understands that they do so at their own risk. Neither the Patriot Guard Riders Organization nor its representatives are liable for any damages incurred on any PGR mission or event.
Funeral Processions/Escorts
EVERY RIDER IS SOLELY RESPONSIBLE for their own safety at all times while riding in a funeral procession.
At NO TIME are any riders authorized to block any intersection or otherwise block or impede traffic laws in any way. Only Law Enforcement officials are authorized to block and/or impeded the lawful flow of traffic.
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Warm Regards,
Bob “Pizza Man” Johnson
Asst. State Captain
Deputy State Captain
San Antonio Patriot Guard
Dignity, Honor, Respect
Cell: 562-413-2223
“We can’t all be heroes. Some of us get to stand on the curb and clap as they go by.”
Will Rogers