Well-known Cleburne Lion Ron Layland passes away at 78

Apr. 6—If you ever drove through Cleburne during White Cane weekend, you probably saw one particular Lion — Ron Layland — in a yellow vest collecting donations.

Layland, who passed away Monday at the age of 78, was a well-known Cleburne Lions Club member who reached almost 50 years of perfect attendance as a Lion.

"Ron Layland's service to our community through the Cleburne Lions Club, family connection to the Layland Museum and so much more has been exemplary," Cleburne Mayor Scott Cain said. "And not just his community service but his attitude that was always so positive and upbeat.

"When you think of what it means to be a member of the Cleburne community you think of Mr. Layland. His contributions and presence will be greatly missed."

Cleburne Parks and Recreation Director Aaron Dobson headed the Cleburne Railroad Museum's planning committee, of which Layland was a member.

"Mr. Layland was a huge advocate and supporter the Railroad and Layland museums and Cleburne in general," Dobson said. "He was always willing to help out as a volunteer or in whatever role needed.

"As a board member, he brought keen insight and always pushed us, in a positive way, to better our facilities, offerings and community outreach efforts. His insight and friendship are going to be greatly missed."

Layland Museum Director Stephanie Montero also sang praises about Layland's involvement with both Layland and the Railroad Museum.

"We are mourning Ron Layland today," she said. "Ron was a longtime board member at Layland Museum, which was named for his grandfather W.J. Layland. In recent years, he also served on the committee to plan and build the Cleburne Railroad Museum, a huge project to which he made a major impact.

"Ron loved Cleburne and saw both museums as important to our city's growth and character. He worked tirelessly to make them better. We will miss him and his drive for perfection.

Layland was so devoted to the museum and was a member of the planning committee for the Cleburne Railroad Museum, Montero said. He remained so devoted to Cleburne's history and the importance of both museums.

"He was a longtime board member of the Layland Museum and a real presence here," she said. "In fact, Mr. Layland was one of the first people I met in Cleburne even before I began working for the museum."

Layland was born Aug. 18, 1944. He was married to Mary Alice Layland and together they had two daughters, one granddaughter and one grandson.

He was a member and head deacon at Cleburne Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Layland joined the Cleburne Lions Club in May 1976 and logged 46 years of perfect attendance. He started four of the club's main fundraisers — White Cane, Rattlesnake Roundup, Wild Game Dinner and Auction and the annual truck raffle.

He served as club president from 1983-84, secretary five times, director and every vice president position. He was awarded the 100% President and 100% Secretary five times, the Melvin Jones Fellow and was named Lion of the Year twice.

Layland was also an honorary member of the­­ Chihuahua City Lions Club in Mexico and Saginaw Lions Club.

At the District 2E-2 level, he served as Zone Chairman, Deputy District Governor, LCIF Chairman, several positions with the Organ and Eye Bank board, Lieutenant Governor and District Governor. He also served as an Extension Chairman, International Understanding board, Leader Dogs for the Blind Chairman, Retention Chairman and Alert Chairman. He was a Texas Lions Foundation trustee from 2019 until his death.

Layland has been honored with life memberships to the Organ and Eye Bank, Julien C. Hyer Youth Camp and Drug Awareness Council.

He was a 100% District Governor, received the Progressive Melvin Jones Fellow and was an honoree of the Tom Gillis Annual Chicken Dinner hosted by the Fort Worth Founder Lions Club.

At the state level, he held leadership positions with the MD-2 Membership and Retention, Leader Dogs for the Blind and was the International Liaison for the MD-2 Eyeglass Recycling Program.

He was also honored with life memberships to Texas Lions Camp and Texas Lions Eyeglass Recycling Center. He was a charter member in 1983 of the Texas Lions Camp Center Club and was a member until his death.

Layland holds the record for most guide dog trainees in one year at 17 and the record for the most funds raised in a year.

He received the first Texas Lions Foundation Fellow Award, Ed Flood Award and Lions World Service for the Blind. He also received the first Founders Tribute Award in Texas.

But Layland's work didn't stop at the Texas border. He was an ambassador to the Lions of B-2 in Mexico and co-founder of CEREDIL (an eyeglass recycling center in Chihuahua City, Mexico. He completed ear, nose, throat and eye clinics in Belize City and initiated the cornea transplant for a 9-year-old girl there. He furnished equipment for an eyeglass finishing lab in Guatemala and served on the USA/Canada Leadership Forum as a discussion leader.

His international honors included the International President's Award, International Leadership Award, seven International President's Certificates of Appreciation, 26 Extension Awards for assisting in 80-plus other clubs, seven International PDG Extension Awards, two International Relations Awards, two International Membership Growth Awards and the Universal Key Membership Award.

Layland was hand in establishing and assisting in the forming of over 100 charter clubs in Texas, Mexico, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Louisiana, resulting in several thousand new members.

He served on numerous boards and committees for the city of Cleburne, Cleburne Chamber of Commerce, Cleburne Community Education, Meals on Wheels North Central Texas and the Cleburne Yellow Jacket Booster Club, United Way of Johnson County, Walls Regional Hospital and the Cleburne Christian Business Club. The chamber awarded him the Wall of Fame Award, among others.

Layland graduated from Southwestern Junior College in Keene and received associate degrees in electronics from Fort Worth College and management at Tarrant County Junior College.

He was the owner and operator of Layland LP-Gas Co. from 1973-90. After that he owned several hunting and fishing lodges, a restaurant and a hotel.

Services for Layland will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday at the Cleburne First Seventh-day Adventist Church with Pastor Tony Torres officiating. Burial will follow at Greenacres Memorial Park.

A visitation for family and friends will be held from 6-8 p.m. Friday at Rosser Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers memorials in Layland's name may be made to Lions International or Meals on Wheels North Central Texas.