Gerald Landfair

Gerald Ivy Landfair, born in Tillar, Arkansas on January 18, 1931, died peacefully December 10, 2022 after a short illness.

While growing up, he dreamed of owning a Cadillac and having a pool in his backyard. After graduating from Tillar High School in 1948 where he enjoyed playing basketball, his friend Wink encouraged him to attend college.  His time at Arkansas A&M (now the University of Arkansas at Monticello) was interrupted when he chose to join the United States Air Force and serve in the Korean War until 1955. When returning to college, he met the love of his life, Wilene Palmer, on a blind date.  After graduating, he and Wilene married in Dermott, Arkansas in 1957. After a couple of years working in Little Rock, Arkansas, they moved to Richardson, Texas in 1960 where they built their life together and raised their family. Together, they were instrumental in starting West Shore United Methodist Church, and they later became longtime and active members of First United Methodist Church of Richardson.

After over 35 years with Mobil Oil Corporation, Gerald retired with his childhood dream fulfilled – he had both a Cadillac and a pool!  He volunteered with Network of Community Ministries and supported FUMCR for over 25 years as a volunteer “Handy Man.”  He adored his family and cherished his friendships.  He also loved spending time in his pool, working in his yard and was known for his immaculately mowed lawn, roses, azaleas, and pecan tree. He was a master tinkerer and always had a project repairing, organizing or creating something. Gerald was a man of few words choosing instead to demonstrate a life well lived through his actions, acts of kindness, and humor.

His favorite destinations were Gulf Coast beaches where he enjoyed fried shrimp best, and New Orleans where he listened to his favorite music, specifically Preservation Hall Jazz Band.

Gerald is survived by his wife of 65 years, Wilene Palmer Landfair with whom he grieved her diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease in 2020. His living legacy can be found in his daughter Jeri Landfair Chambers and her husband Rick; his granddaughter Taylor Rene’ Michell, her husband Andre’ Michell, grandson Austin Landfair Chambers; great grandson Henry Joseph Michell. He is also survived by his brother Thomas Landfair and wife Barbara; sister-in-law Lynda Palmer Robinson and much beloved nieces and nephews—Barbara, Mark, Cherry, Carolyn, Stacy and Rob—and the grands.  Gerald is preceded in death by his parents Hutchins Landfair and Sadie Ballard Landfair; brothers and sisters-in-law James (Jimmy) Ballard Landfair and wife Billie, Robert (Buddy) Hutchins Landfair and wife Carol.

A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held on Friday, January 13, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at First United Methodist Church of Richardson, 503 N Central Expressway, Richardson, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a gift to the Landfair Chambers Family Fund at Communities Foundation of Texas where the family will later make a grant to entities that best honor Gerald’s passions and purpose.  For more information and to donate, please go to: http://www.cftexas.org/GeraldLandfair

You may also send a gift to Communities Foundation of Texas, 5500 Caruth Haven Lane, Dallas, Texas, 75225 c/o Landfair Chambers Family Fund.