Albert William Land II

Jack was born in Phenix City, Alabama on September 25, 1938. Jack lived and grew up in Columbus, Georgia with his mother Ethel, father Albert W (Jack) Land Sr. and older sister Ruby Julienne. Jack has always considered himself a Georgian, born and raised. Jack’s father, Albert Sr., was a lineman for the county. Albert Sr. was also known as Jack after the phrase “that guy is cracker jack”. After Albert senior’s death in 1942, when junior was only 4, Albert senior’s friends passed the nickname on to Jack Jr. The nickname stuck for the rest of his life. Jack’s number one hobby was raising and racing homing pigeons. Jack started this hobby as a young child and after retiring from the military it became a passion and his savior. Jack showed his passion at club meetings and with repeated phone calls to club members which sometimes, if not mostly, got him in trouble with the other flyers. Jack raised winning birds. His birds would rank in the leading birds. He also loved introducing new flyers to pigeon racing. Jack was involved with local wildlife associations on the capture and rehabilitation of stray birds. During the last several decades, pigeons became his life. In 2004 Jack married Mary, the girl next door, literally. Later on, when Jack started getting ill, Mary was instrumental in keeping both Jack and his hobby going. Jack tried to keep the severity of his illness from his family, so as not to worry them. Mary still works hard today to keep Jack’s pigeons fit for racing. Jack’s prize bird Eyou, died earlier on this year. Eyou is believed to have passed before Jack in order to get Jack’s next loft ready, and give him young birds for more great races. Jack is survived by his wife Mary and his son Al (wife Leslie).Arrangements under the direction of Acacia Memorial Park & Funeral Home, Seattle, Washington.