Thomas William "Tom" Landers, Jr.'s Obituary
Thomas William Landers, Jr.
Tom was born December 5, 1921, in Longview, Texas and passed away here on February 28, 2013. He lived here all his life except for time in college and service in the U.S. Air Force during World War II.
When he was ten years old the great East Texas oil boom hit, and Tom sold newspapers after school between the Post Office and the old Hilton Hotel to 200 or 300 men who were scouts, land men, drilling contractors, etc. Also, at the age of 10 he sacked peanuts on Saturdays for Hubert Gregg, a well-known blind man of Longview.
At the age of 14 Tom lost his father to a heart attack, and he had to help his mother by doing odd jobs around the city. He worked at Dark's grocery store, the Rembert Theater, laid gas lines for Southern Gas Company, and worked at the old City Swimming Pool.
Tom graduated from Longview High School in 1939 where he played the drums in the band. At that time he went to Schreiner Institute in Kerrville. He was drum major for the band at Schreiner.
Before his education was completed, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, thinking he would get in six months or a year's service, then he would be free to return to college. However, this did not happen. Along came World War II and Tom ended up serving in the Air Force for 4 ½ years. He was honorably discharged in December of 1945.
He returned to Longview and started selling health and accident insurance, following in his mother's footsteps. Then, in 1946 he opened a general agency selling fire and casualty insurance. In 1947 he took Harold Turner as a partner and they formed Landers and Turner Insurance, which was in business for 43 years until their retirement in 1990.
Tom married Dorothy Mosty of Kerrville in December of 1942 and last year they celebrated their 70th anniversary. From this union there are three sons – Thomas W. III, Michael Carl and Jerry Burney Landers. All three sons graduated from Longview High School and the University of Texas at Austin.
Tom joined First Christian Church at the age of 10 and has since served as a Deacon, Elder, Elder for Life, Chairman of the official Board and taught Sunday school in the high school department. He was a long time member of the Loyal Men's Class, then the Cornerstone Class, of which he had served as President.
Memberships:
32 degree Mason
Scottish Rite
Sharon Temple Shrine
Royal Order of Jesters
Knights of Pythias Lodge #26- 50 years- Served as Chancellor Commander
Downtown Longview rotary Club- 35 years perfect attendance. Attended meetings in Stockholm, Rome, London, Paris, etc- Paul Harris Fellow
Men's Garden Club of Longview- Past President and Director
Independent Insurance Agents of Texas and America
Independent Insurance Agents of Longview- Past President and Director
Longview Chamber of Commerce- Chairman of various committees
Pinecrest Country Club- Director and President in 1980
Cherokee Club- Board of Directors and Vice President
Texas Society of Sons of the American Revolution- descendant of William Brewer of Virginia
Services:
Trustee of Longview Independent School District- 12 years- two term President of the Board
Past Chairman of the Board- Region VII Education Service Center- Kilgore, Tx
Board member and Chairman of the Board when Gregg County Appraisal District was formed
Member and past Chairman of Parks and Recreation Board- City of Longview
American Legion Post 0140- Longview
Director of Southwest Motor Club of AAA, Dallas, Tx
American Heart Association Board, Gregg County, Board Member
Longview Savings and Loan Assn.- Past Director
Boy Scouts Troop Committee Chairman, Troop #201- three sons were past members
Little League Baseball program- past coach and umpire
Meals on Wheels- 11 years
Active in United Way Fund Drives
And a loyal Lobo fan for his entire life
It gave Tom great satisfaction to be able to serve the city and community where he was born and raised with pride as being a "Longviewite".
Predeceased by mother and father- Georgia Utzman Landers and Tom W. Landers, Sr. and sister, Mary Emily Landers Campbell as well as several aunts, uncles and cousins in the Longview area.
Tom was always an optimist and a happy person. He would come home from work each day and enter the door whistling. He would tell of his day's work at the office. He loved to tell jokes and could remember them better than most. He loved people and had many lifelong friends. He was a joy to live with. His hobbies included golf, hunting dove and quail, and fishing. He looked forward to visits from all of his family and would arrange to be sure they had a good time during their visits. Known as "Grand" to his grandchildren, he was truly a family man.
Memorial services will be 11 am Monday, March 4, 2013 at the First Christian Church with Rev. Richard Emerson and Rev. David Farmer officiating under direction of Rader Funeral Home. Private burial will be at Memory Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Sunday, March 3, 2013 from 4 until 6 pm.
Tom is survived by his wife Dorothy E. Landers and sons Thomas W. Landers, III and wife Joan, of Santa Ana, California, Michael C. Landers and wife Karen and Jerry B. and wife Shirley.
He is survived by his grandchildren Laura Thorne and husband Jon, Alison Wenster, Matthew Landers and wife Elizabeth, Casey Landers, Alison Thorpe, Steven Thorpe and wife Audrey and Emily Frank.
He is also survived by his great grandchildren Lauren Wenster, Megan Wenster, Ryane Thorne, Reese Landers, Colton Thorne, Carter Landers and Alex Roger. He is also survived by his niece, Candi Campbell.
Memorial contributions may be made to the First Christian Church, 720 N. Sixth St., Longview, TX 75601, or to the charity of your choice.
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