Richard Wallace Landen

Richard was born on September 11, 1936 in Maywood, California to Wallace Landen and Katherine Lalie of West Superior, Wisconsin and Baden, Russia, respectively.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife of 64 years, Florence, and his son Mark Landen (Kellie) of Jacksonville.

Richard was brought up in California by his dear aunt and uncle, Edith and Frank Georgianni, and then moved to Devil’s Lake, North Dakota. He enjoyed working at his uncle’s soda pop factory and playing basketball at St. Mary’s Academy where he graduated in 1954.

Immediately following graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and attended Basic Training at Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri. Following his Army tour, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, embarking upon a varied and challenging career than would span more than three decades. In September 1960, he married the love of his life, Florence “Ambyr”, where they met when his ship docked in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada.

Together with his family, Richard’s long and proud military life, took him on tours aboard the USS ROOKS, U.S. Naval Station, Washington, DC., where he was honored to serve as a military guard in the rotunda for John F. Kennedy’s funeral, USS SKYWATCHER, USS LOOKOUT, Antarctic Support, Davisville and Quonset Point, Rhode Island, Norfolk, Virginia, USS FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT, Jacksonville, Florida and New London, Connecticut.

Richard ended his career at the highest level for enlisted personnel, Command Master Chief and received numerous awards including the Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal with one Gold Star, Navy Good Conduct Medal with 7 stars, and the National Defense Service Medal with bronze star.

After retiring, Richard, along with his wife and son owned a sports memorabilia store, Rookies Plus. He enjoyed this tremendously and would be at the Flea Market on the weekends selling sports cards for many years. He loved watching all sports on TV and passed that love along to his family. He was a handsome, genuine, kind, humble, loving man who loved his family, his country and the U.S. Navy.

Richard leaves behind his three daughters, Charlene Landen, Cynthia Ross and Michele Kennedy (Christopher) all of Jacksonville, Florida; his six grandchildren, Melissa Kennedy (Effie), Amanda Metts, Ambyr Mann (Esteban), Morgan Landen, Mitchell Landen and Faith Kennedy all of Jacksonville; his two great grandchildren, Isabella and Sebastian Azofeifa of Jacksonville; his many brother-in-laws and sister-in-laws and their spouses that he considered his family, and many, many nieces and nephews, extended family and friends.

A Catholic Funeral Mass will be held Monday October 7, 2024 at 11:00 AM at St. Matthews Catholic Church in Jacksonville, Florida. Committal will be on Wednesday October 16, 2024 at 11:30 AM Lane 3 at the Jacksonville National Cemetery of Jacksonville, Florida.

In remembrance of Richard Landen and in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to Community Hospice & Palliative Care are warmly welcomed.