Dr. David T. Garland

Garland, Dr. David T., 90, passed away at his home in Lakewood, CO, on February 3, 2012. Dave is survived by his loving wife, Wanna, their daughter, Mary (Mike); Dave's children, Dave (Kathy), Jim (Debbie), John (Susie), and Dan; grandchildren, Dave, Jeffrey, Steven, and Kailey, and step grandchildren, Katie and Kelly. Dave's wife Bernice predeceased him in 1976. Born in Denver in 1921, Dave was a renowned pitcher at South High and the University of Denver (All Conference). After serving as a pilot in World War II, Dave was signed by the St. Louis Browns organization, but decided on medical school instead of pro baseball. As a doctor, from 1952 through 1991, Dave served as team physician for numerous Denver professional and amateur sports teams, including the Central Bankers and the Denver-Chicago Truckers (National Industrial Basketball League); Denver's AAU Basketball teams; the Denver Broncos football team (during their initial two years); the Denver Rockets of the ABA and the Denver Nuggets of the NBA; the Denver Rackets of the National Tennis League; and the Denver Stars of the National Rodeo League. Dave also served as team physician for various U.S. All Star Basketball teams traveling to the U.S.S.R., Denmark, Sweden, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Argentina. By the time Dave retired from the Denver Nuggets in 1991, he almost certainly had worked with more amateur and professional coaches, trainers, and athletes than any other physician in Colorado history. From 1961-1975, Dave also served with a number of local sports, civic and medical organizations, including the University of Denver Athletic Boosters; the Old Timers Baseball League (president); the Denver Chamber of Commerce Sports Committee (27 years); and the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame (founding member and on the Board of Directors for 26 years). Over his lifetime Dave has devoted himself to his loving family, who will miss him dearly; his patients; his friends (including his golfing buddies, past and present, at Lakewood Country Club); and his hometown of Denver, Colorado. A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, February 11, 2012, at Mt. Olivet Cemetery's Chapel, 12801 W. 44th Ave., Wheat Ridge, CO.