John F. Land III

Our beloved John Flood Land, III, 78, peacefully left for his foreverhome on February 16, 2023. John was born on February 11, 1945 and grew up in Bluefield, West Virginia. He’s lived in his home in Lauderhill, FL for 38 years with his wife, Shenna. John retired after 42 years in secondary education, teaching mostly World History and Social Studies; he coached for most of those years, and his main sport was football. 

God, family and football were near and dear to John’s heart. The stories of his time as a Champion Quarterback on the football fields in Bluefield, WV then onto Marshall University, are unrivaled. John graduated from Bluefield High School in 1963 and from Marshall University with a Bachelor of Arts, in 1967. After coaching and teaching in Ohio then Tennessee, he joined his mentor Coach Merrill Gainer at Patrick Henry High School in Roanoke, Virginia for five years. As an Assistant Coach, he was a part of another state championship team. John then spent four years on the Piper High School Football Coaching staff, where he met lifelong friends he remained close with for the rest of his life. After a four-year coaching stint at Lake Weir High School in Ocala, he made his way permanently back to South Florida in 1985, where he taught alongside the love of his life and many dear friends at Coconut Creek High School.

After retiring in 2009, John stuck with his fitness routine and regularly attended his gym, his church, and his grandkids’ sports activities. He’s made treasured memories with his family and his lifelong friends and their families for nearly half a century. John had a captivating personality, was often the life of the party and was always known for his great sense of humor, speaking his mind and his unrelenting work ethic. When he was with his grandchildren, Dominick and Avery, he always bounced a blue Racquetball in his hand and would talk school and sports. He enjoyed bantering with people and if he was giving you a hard time, it means he cared about you.

The patriarch of the Land family leaves behind a legacy of giving unconditional LOVE to all the lives he touched and of demonstrating mental toughness in all circumstances. He would give anonymous donations to people in need, never wanting anyone to know it was him. He regularly donated items to Our Father’s House Soup Kitchen and gave blood as often as possible for many years. He also encouraged others to donate there and would bring $10 bills to give to the volunteers serving food… that was the kind of heart he had. John has positively impacted countless students, players and of course, his family and friends, throughout his life journey.

Preceded by: John F. Land, Jr. & Ruth Bowles, his parents; John F. Land, IV, his son.

Survived by: Shenna Ferguson Land, his wife; Kara Land Cannizzaro & son-in-law, Frank, Dominick M. and Avery L. Cannizzaro; Olivia A. Land; Nancy Green, Tommy, Sarah Jane and Jack Green, (his children & grandchildren); Robert D. Land, Dianna, David  and Sarah Beth Land, his brother & family; and many beloved uncles, cousins and dear friends who will never forget him or his impact on their lives.

In lieu of flowers, donations made be made in John’s honor to Our Father’s House Soup Kitchen, PO Box 668571, Pompano Beach, FL 33066-8571