MIDLAND - Dusty Ray Land, of Midland, died Aug. 8, 2022, after a lengthy battle with cancer. He was born Mar. 1, 1958 in Snyder to Stanford and Juanita Land. He was the sixth of seven children. After graduating high school, he moved to Midland where he began his career with the Midland Police Department as a cadet in June of 1976. Visitation will be from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. on, Aug. 12, at Nalley-Pickle-Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Services will be at 1 p.m, Aug. 13, at Greenwood Baptist Church in Midland.
Dusty served in several facets of the Police Department including Patrol Division, Detective Division, Administration Division, and Training Division, working his way up the ranks to Lieutenant. He attended and completed the FBI National Academy in 1992. He retired from Midland Police Department in June 2009, after 33 years of service.
After his retirement from law enforcement, he worked for several oil field related companies where he made many new friends and associates. In 2019, he returned to the law enforcement profession by taking on the role of Director of Training, with Permian Basin Law Enforcement Academy.
He loved his family first and foremost. He is preceded in death by his oldest daughter Brandi Land, his parents Stanford and Juanita Land, his father-in-law Bobby Howard, and sisters Judy Stirman and Vicki Solla.
He is survived by his wife Bobbie Jo Land of Midland; his son Robin 'Bud' Land and wife Sara and grandson Caston, of Midland, daughter Molli Land of Melbourne, Florida, daughter Amanda Smith and husband Houston and grandkids Houston Jr. and Shelby of Christoval, daughter Ashley McClellan and husband Chad and granddaughter Caroline of Midland, and son Jake Hall and wife Brittany and grandsons Joseph, Morgan, and Jackson of Midland; mother in law Peggy Howard of Midland; brothers Rocky Land of Snyder, Sandy Land of Mineral Wells, Baron Land of Arlington, and sister Pat Shands of Odessa. Dusty had a large extended family with many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews that he loved as his very own.
He loved shooting sporting clays, and any related events especially those involving fundraisers and benefits for his community. He was a huge supporter of his kids in any of their events, such as 4-H and sports. 'Pops', as he was known to the grandkids, loved spending time building tree houses and what ever else came into the picture such as riding 4 wheelers, the Mule and anything else with wheels.
He was a big man with a bigger heart. He left a legacy and is already greatly missed.
In lieu of flowers the family is asking that donations be made to a favorite charity, or to the Midland County 4-H or Midland County Livestock Association.