Fred Landis

Freddie Paul Landis, 86, of Midland, Texas, passed away peacefully on February 7th, 2014. Freddie was born in Kansas City, Kansas on January 22, 1928. He grew up in a farming family near Canton, Kansas, where he learned the value of hard work and commitment to others. Fred was married to Oshia Stewart on October 7, 1947 in Sacramento, California. He joined the U.S. Air Corps in 1946 at the age of 18, and trained in RADAR, being stationed in Boca Raton, Florida and Sacramento, California. He rose to the rank of Sergeant prior to being honorably discharged in April, 1949. Freddie and Oshia moved to Texas in 1950, and settled in Midland in 1951. He began his work in the oilfield as a roughneck, and progressed through Driller, Tool Pusher, Drilling Superintendent and finally became the founding President of Landis Drilling Company in 1977. He retired in 1988. Fred enjoyed playing dominos, and often entertained his friends and family with card tricks and stories of childhood days on the farm and oilfield life. He also loved fishing and enjoyed many hours dancing with his dear friend Lola Moore, as well as traveling to destinations in the United States, Canada and several countries in Europe.

Fred is preceded in death by his wife of 38 years, Oshia Clayton Stewart, who passed away in 1986. He is also preceded in death by his sisters Dollie Landis Hershberger of Harrisonville, Missouri; Dorothy Landis Allison of Friendswood, Texas; Rhoda Landis Taylor of Perryton, Texas; and Florence Landis Mowery of Canton, Kansas; as well as his brother Harold Landis of Canton, Kansas.

Fred is survived by his daughter, Teresa Lynn Taylor (husband David), grandson Derek Patterson, granddaughter Emily Rymers and great-grandson Malakai Rymers, all of San Antonio, Texas. He is also survived by his son Gary Landis (wife Cheryl) and grandsons Ryan Paul Landis and Dylan Mark Landis, of Plano, Texas; and other family and friends.

Fred was a member of First Baptist Church, Midland since 1961. He was a member of the Midland Petroleum Club; Midland Masonic Lodge #623; 32nd Degree Master Mason - Scottish Rite Consistory, Lubbock, Texas; Midland Eagle Lodge; Midland Amvets; and Suez Shrine Temple, San Angelo, Texas.

Family will receive friends on Friday, February 14, 2014 at Ellis Funeral Home between the hours of 6:00pm and 8:00pm. Funeral service will be on Saturday, February 15, 2014 in the Chapel at Ellis Funeral Home at 10:00am. Interment will follow at Resthaven Memorial Park. Online condolences may be offered at www.ellisfunerals.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to the M.D. Anderson Memorial Cancer Center of Houston, TX.