Roy R.L. Landers

Roy Leonard “RL” Landers, Jr. passed away on April 11, 2020, at Willow Park Rehabilitation and Care Center in Willow Park, TX. He was 91.

Roy was born on August 28, 1928, to Roy L. Landers, Sr. and Frances Whitlock Landers in Deport, Texas. Roy joined the Marines in 1946, first serving in WW2, then getting called up from the reserves to serve in the Korean War in 1950. In Korea, he was an Amtrak driver with C-Company, 1st Amtrak Battalion, US 1st Marine Division, and he earned the Korean War Service Medal.  Roy married Dorothy Florez on September 23, 1950, in Vernon, TX. The couple remained married for 65 years, until Dorothy’s passing in 2015. They had five daughters. 

After living in various places around the country, the family settled in Mineral Wells in 1968 and lived there for over 50 years. For most of his career, Roy worked as a helicopter mechanic, earning his A&P License from Tarrant County Junior College in 1969 and retiring from Petroleum Helicopter Inc. in 1993.  Roy enjoyed traveling, watching Texas Rangers baseball, and planting vegetables, watermelon, and cantaloupe. Those who knew him were quick to note his kindness and even temper.

Roy is survived by his daughters: Gaye Whatley; Pamela Landers and husband Jack Koestline; Sharon Welch and husband John; Dana Landers; and Terrie Henderson; his grandchildren: Alison Ching and husband Jason Zachary; Lauren Morehan and husband David; Ryan Segars; Lacey Schwanke and husband Justin; Jessica Henderson; and Jacob Couch; his great-grandchildren: Alex Martin; Kathleen and Andrew Morehan; Alice and Dorothy Schwanke; and Isabella Orozco; and his brother Rodger Landers. Roy is preceded in death by his wife, his parents, and 1 brother and 6 sisters. Special thanks to Sandra Kay for taking care of “our Daddy” like he was her own.

Graveside services are scheduled for 2:00 on April 15 at Woodland Park Cemetery. The family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Meals on Wheels of Palo Pinto County, 1410 SE Martin Luther King Jr St., Mineral Wells, TX 76067 or https://www.mealsonwheelsofppc.org/donate.html.