Obituary of David A. Lackland

David A. Lackland, age 83, died on Wednesday, September 16, 2015, at his beach house in Loveladies, NJ. Born October 17, 1931, in Plainfield, NJ, he attended Maxon School before moving to North Plainfield and graduated from North Plainfield High School then attended Lehigh University where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. While at Leigh, he joined the Delta Phi Fraternity and served as House President for two years. David served in the US Army as an Infantry Officer in Germany. On September 14, 1957, he married Carol Burgess. David and his wife Carol have lived in Watchung, NJ during their marriage and have both enjoyed playing duets; Dave on violin, Carol on piano, the theater and traveling. Dave also loved to play tennis and golf and was a member of the Plainfield Country Club, Seaview Country Club and Loveladies Tennis Club for over 30 years. In 1956 Dave and his brother started Lackland Bros. Inc. in Dunellen, NJ and over the course of many years have built and sold over 2,000 homes, constructed and leased many industrial buildings and were the first to bring the self-storage business to NJ, building and operating over 30 storage facilities over the years. Dave was a member of the Board of Plainfield Savings Bank for over 25 years, Board Member of United Family & Children's Society in Plainfield, NJ, Vice President of the Arnold Schwartz Foundation, President of the Piscataway Rotary Club and actively participated in Watchung Valley Players, The Watchung Optimist Club and Indian Guides & Princesses when his children were the required ages. In May, 2012, Dave and his twin brother Fred were honored by the Boy Scouts of America in celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the Eagle Scouts, as they were both Eagle Scouts themselves. Dave will be especially remembered for his philanthropic attributes and his desire to "give back". He was instrumental in funding, designing and building The Davie & Carol Lackland Center at Centenary College which is a 68,000 square foot student center that now serves as a hub for cultural events and activities for the college and northeast region of NJ. In addition, he started the Lackland Family Foundation which has offered support to Overlook Hospital, United Family & Children's Society, St. Jude's Hospital, Project U.S.E., which helps troubled youths in Newark, and Enchanted Makeovers which transforms long term homeless shelters for women and children into comfortable living spaces. Survivors include Carol Lackland, wife; David J. Lackland, son; Jennifer Lackland, daughter; Tessa Alden Lackland, daughter in law; Indy Lackland, grandson; Fred Lackland, brother; Donna Lackland, sister in law; and one niece and three nephews. A visitation will be held on Sunday, September 20th, from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. at Higgins Home for Funerals, 752 Mountain Blvd., Watchung, NJ followed by a funeral service at 11:00 a.m. Interment is private. Memorial contributions can be made in his name to: Overlook Hospital Foundation, 36 Upper Overlook Road, P.O. Box 220, Summit, NJ 07902-0220 or the Watchung Rescue Squad, 10 Stirling Road, Watchung, NJ 07069.