D. Michael Land

D. Michael Land

November 24, 1952 ~ April 19, 2020

D. Michael Land, 67, a Fort Worth native, co-owner of Forest Ridge Funeral Home Memorial Park Chapel, passed away peacefully Sunday, April 19, 2020 surrounded by his loving family.

Michael dedicated his life to the service and care of others.  Professionally, he was a well-respected leader in the death care industry.  His dedication in the care to hurting families was unparalleled.  Michael not only dedicated his life to those who walked through his doors, but also to so many in the funeral industry who needed a start or who needed help and guidance.  Caring, loving, compassionate and fair name just a few of the many attributes that sum up the man we all loved and will continually miss and respect for many decades to come.  He will forever live and continue to serve, now in the hearts of so many funeral directors who loved him and who served alongside him.

Michael graduated from Southwest High School before attending Tarrant County College. Michael received formal Funeral Service training from the Dallas Institute of Funeral Service and became a licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer by the State of Texas.  Michael, co-founder and owner of Forest Ridge Funeral Home-Memorial Park Chapel and Crematory, has been active in the funeral industry for 47 years.  As a funeral industry professional, Michael was dedicated to each family and regularly strived to ensure that all their needs were considered and met.

In terms of community involvement, Michael was a former Executive Board member of the Better Business Bureau and currently served in an Advisory Board Member capacity.  His experience with the local Chambers of Commerce was quite extensive having served as both Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chairman of the Leadership Alumni Association for the Hurst-Euless-Bedford Chamber of Commerce.  In addition to his involvement with the business community, Michael volunteered with the HEB ISD Education Foundation to raise funds for Innovative Teaching Grants within the HEB ISD. The HEB Chamber awarded Michael the Community Service Award in 2011 for his significant contributions.  Michael was an active member in both the Hurst-Euless-Bedford and Northeast Tarrant Chambers of Commerce. For many years Michael was active with Santa USA and each year he served as one of Santa’s helpers as an Elf giving out toys at local hospitals to children. Michael was a Freemason with memberships in Hurst Masonic Lodge #1387 and Tabernacle Masonic Lodge #1195 in Fort Worth. Michael and Suzanne are members at University Baptist Church in Fort Worth.

In 2006, Michael served the North Texas Funeral Directors Association as President and from 2008-2009 he served as President for the Texas Funeral Directors Association.  In addition to these terms as President, Michael has served on and occasionally chaired state association committees such as Membership, Convention, Legislative Budget, Building and Media Relations and the Disaster Committee.  Michael had the honor of serving as President of the TFDA Services, Inc. board as well as Co-Chairing Wreaths Across America where he participated in annual ceremonies at the Texas State Capitol as well as the Texas State Cemetery.  Michael was awarded the Ed C. Smith Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019 by the North Texas Funeral Directors Association.

He is survived by his loving wife, Suzanne Land; his son, Brian Henderson; his daughters, Debbie Henderson and Sheri Hall; his sister, Susan Esco; his grandchildren, Nicholas Alaniz, Tahlia Blair, Tommy Thompson, Kayin Blair, Laura Kate Thompson, and Kamilah Fagan.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Tom and Sylvia Land.

Those serving as honorary pallbearers include, Richard Land, Cory Land, Jody Land, Gary Land, Larry Land, Brian Henderson; Michael’s Forest Ridge Family; the TFDA family and fellow funeral director’s across the state of Texas.

A visitation for family and friends will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday, April 23, 2020 at Forest Ridge Funeral Home. 

A private graveside service will be held.

The family requests memorials donations be made to the Land Family Scholarship Fund in memory of D. Michael Land, c/o of TFDA 1513 South Interstate 35, Austin, TX 78741 or MD Anderson Cancer Research, https://www.mdanderson.org/donors-volunteers/donate/honor-loved-ones.html