Michael Aaron Landis

Michael is preceded in death by his grandparents, Mr and Mrs Carl (Lillian) Landis of Phoenix, Arizona and Mr and Mrs Leslie (Ferne) Richison of Winterhaven, California. Michael is survived by his parents Mr and Mrs Charles (Jackie) Landis of Peoria Arizona.

Michael grew up in Phoenix, where he attended grade school at Chaparral Elementary, Junior High at Desert Foothills Middle School and was a 2007 graduate of Moon Valley High School. He also attended ASU and Glendale Community College.

While attending Moon Valley High School, he was a member of the Chess Club and sang in the Choir. He participated in the yearly talent show winning Best of Show one year.

Michael loved being around his friends, hanging out playing board games, shooting hoops, bowling and going out to eat. He liked to frequent places like Dave and Busters, Oregano’s(spoon fighting with his Dad to see who got to eat the biggest portion of the ‘Pizza Cookie’ with ice-cream on top. Mom didn’t have a chance!) , Maggianos, Peno’s Pizza Parlor or just about any other Pizza Place. That was Michael!

Michael also loved his sports. Football and Basketball being his favorites. When he was younger, he loved the Laker’s and Shaquille O’neal basketball. As he got older, I believe he liked Football a little better. His favorite Football team for the past few years has been the New Orleans Saints and Drew Brees. He was heartbroken when they did not make the Superbowl in 2018. Michael loved to collect things as many of his friends know. Among his memorabilia, he had a signed Shaq trading card, a signed baseball from the Diamond Backs 2001 World Series, signed by pitcher Byung-hyun Kim and was currently collecting Saints items. That was Michael!

Michaels biggest love in life was Music. A huge portion of his life was centered around music. Going to his favorite band’s concerts like Cowboy Mouth, Blue October, The Frey, Roger Cline and the Peacemakers to name a few. He was lucky enough to meet some of the band members and obtain their autographs and photographs. He had a huge CD collection that he accumulated through the years, totaling well over a thousand CDs. Karaoke was his favorite thing to do. All through high school, you could find him singing Karaoke every Friday night that he could. His love for singing never wavered, as he would still sing at his favorite hangout Daddy O’s whenever he had the chance to. He was even able to be Karaoke DJ there on some weekends. I remember his signature song as being “Hate Me” by Blue October. One time, he even got to have his own version of the song played on MIX 96.9 radio. He was able to win Rob Thomas tickets at the Arizona State fair by singing before a crowd and being judged by having the loudest applause. Anybody who new Michael knew his love for music was genuine and a huge part of who he was. He could sing anything! That was Michael!

Michael worked at Fry’s grocery store for 13 years. He started as a grocery bagger right out of high school and eventually worked his way up to an Assistant Grocery Manager. He was well loved by his coworkers and managers. That was Michael!

Anyone who really knew Michael would know he was a very caring and loving individual, always courteous to others. The kind of person that would do anything to help you out even if that meant hardship on his part. He had a quirky personality that wanted to make others laugh by silly things he picked out along the way… such as the famous Rubber Chicken, “That was Easy” Button and of course the T-Rex. He liked things that were not meant to be funny but they caught his eye as being funny, such as pricing errors that were ridiculously different, like buy 4 for 5 dollars or one for $120.00. He enjoyed sit-coms on TV, his favorites being 3rd Rock from the Sun, Becker, Seinfeld and The Big Bang Theory. That was Michael!

Such a wonderful son and loving friend to so many. One so special, who should not have been taken from us all so young; in such a senseless and TRAGIC way!

Limited private services for family members will be held for Michael at this time.

A ‘Celebration of His Life’ will be held at a later date, after the COVID-19 mandated group restrictions have been removed. At that time, all of his friends will be welcomed to share with us their memories.

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Wishes for You

written by, Gene Royalty Richison, Michael's grandmother for one of his birthdays

I would wish for you, spring and birds to sing in December’s trees

And summer’s sun to bring the flowers in January:

Maybe a little bit of snow in June, maybe a rainbow without the rain

Then life could be more regulated

And all earthly rhythms in tune (with you!)

I would wish for you, to always find the laughter

When suddenly come the tears

Just to soften the sorrow they so often mirror

Of life’s hidden emotional fears-and like some magical ploy

Turn the tears of sadness into tears of joy

I would wish for you, to brave when feeling most cowardly

When life’s battles must be won

Then to your great surprise

Find that underneath the cowardliness

The brave side was there all along

I would wish for you, to be able to give most freely

If with a bit of selfish greed you’re filled

So that your heart could truly rejoice

As you pay special attention to the needs of others-other than think only of ‘self.

I would wish for you, to find the joy of forgiving

When a trespass against you seems most severe

And would that you understand the worth of forgiving

Even if the forgetting is not there

I would wish for you, a generous measure of ‘faith’

To quench the doubt within as it raises it’s serpent head

And let prevail the peace and knowledge

That would make you whole, instead

I could go on wishing forever, and forever be denied

So upon this final with my case will rest

For with love of God and man and self we must be blessed

And have an open mind and heart -no less-

What I have tried so hard to say, in

WITH LOVE – I WISH YOU THE VERY BEST 11