Donald Ray Landers

Donald Ray Landers passed away peacefully in Vermont on October 25,2021 surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Davenport Iowa on November 14, 1931 to John and Ethel Landers. He was a businessman, avid sports fan, Korean War Navy veteran, and loving husband to Karen Riith whom he married in 1982. Don moved frequently as a child, graduating from Jacksonville Beach High School in Florida in 1948. He went to work for the Federal Reserve Bank in Atlanta following graduation and attended Georgia State University, receiving a BA in business. His enlistment in the Navy in 1951 brought him to the Pacific theater during the Korean War where his duties as a supply sergeant aboard the USS Yorktown were coupled with positions on the Navy football and baseball teams. Don played competitively against fellow servicemembers on Guam and traveled throughout many of the South Pacific islands. He was honorably discharged in 1954. His Navy years brought him many happy memories. Business came naturally to Don, a born salesman. He sold medical supplies for Walpole Labs, among other companies, throughout the southeast before moving to Ridgefield, CT in 1968. He actively supported his sons in their many sports and could occasionally be heard letting the refs or umps know when they made a bad call. He was fun, vibrant, great with a story or joke, an incredible athlete and always interested in history. He hunted, made maple syrup, grew delicious blueberries, loved golfing, was an ace with a pool cue, and spent many enjoyable years boating with Karen on Long Island Sound. He lived a full and wonderful life. Don is survived by his wife Karen, of Whitingham, VT. He also leaves behind three sons: Don, Jr of Bessemer, AL, Dave and his wife Barbara of Whitingham, VT, and Bob and his wife BJ of Southlake, TX. He also adored his nine loving grandchildren: Michael, Emily, Chris, Liz, Kirby, Lara, Sean, Elise and Matt, and eight great-grandchildren: Olivia, Jacob, Jack, Brynn, Finn, Lily, Kessler and Lunsford. He is predeceased by his parents John and Ethel, his brother John and sister Barbara. A funeral service was held in Whitingham, VT where Don was laid to final rest with a Naval Honor Guard ceremony. Any donations may be made to the Whitingham Women’s Benevolent Society where Karen is a member c/o Covey Allen & Shea Funeral Home PO Box 215 Wilmington, VT 05363