Allen "Leo" Leo Landers

Allen Leo Landers was born in Cimarron, Kansas to parents Allen and Ann (Whitaker) Landers on November 29th, 1923. When Leo was six years old, his family relocated to Portland, Oregon; his father had gotten a job as a telegrapher for the railroad. Leo had one sibling, a brother, Wayne. As a boy, Leo worked a paper route for the Oregon Journal, one of the biggest routes for that paper. Leo attended and graduated from Benson Polytechnic High School. At the age of 18, Leo went to work for a brass foundry for a short period and then went to work for S P &S railway. His first railroad job was sweeping out the roundhouse. He was very proud of those humble beginnings with the railway and his words he “worked from the floor up”. In 1944, Leo was called to duty to support the WWII war effort. He served in the US Army in the railroad battalion. Shortly after Leo’s enlistment, the war came to a conclusion and Leo was reassigned to Korea to educate members of the Korean Military on the finer points of trains operation. In 1946, Leo was honorably discharged from the Army, and he returned to work for S P&S Railway where he served as a fireman and eventually as an engineer in 1952. Later in his career, Leo worked as an engineer for Burlington Northern. In 1971, he went to work for Amtrak as an engineer for the final 9 years of his service to the railroad industry. In 1976, Leo married Barbara Lou in Beaverton, Oregon.

Leo retired in May of 1992 after 50 years of service to the railroad. Barbara rode along with Leo on a final celebratory run from Portland to Seattle and back and it was a special, emotional, thrilling time for both. Upon their return, they were received by a large group of family, friends, and coworkers alike (and news media) at the station congratulating Leo for his service to the railroad and wishing him a happy retirement.

Retirement life for Leo was anything but retirement. It has been said that his favorite pastime was work. He owned 29 acres in Hillsboro, Oregon and loved just being outside working the land. After logging in 1992, he planted 4000 Douglas fir seedlings. He enjoyed operating heavy equipment and spent countless blissful hours running tractors and caterpillars. Leo also liked gardening and tending to his many horses, cows and animals on the property. It has also been said that “If it started with “S” he enjoyed doing it”. He loved to surf, ski, and swim just to name a few. He even took his long surf board to Hawaii with him on their honeymoon. He was also an avid reader. Leo was a man who loved his Lord. Leo and Barbara attended Grace Brethren Church and later Laurel Community Church. He worked as an adult Sunday school teacher and involved himself in couples discipleship as well.

Leo is predeceased by his parents Allen and Ann; daughter, Karen; and brother, Wayne. Leo was a loving father to ten kids; all survive except his daughter Karen who passed away tragically at the age of 13. He is survived by his loving wife, Barbara; sons Mark, Dave, Steven, Matthew, Andrew (all Landers), and Jon and Mike Yost; daughters Penny McCammon and Carla Bolyard; and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Leo, you were a loving and devoted husband, brother, father, grandfather, great- grandfather, and friend. You will be dearly missed. Though it is hard to see you go, we are given solace in the knowledge that you have been received into the welcoming arms of your Lord and that one day we will see you again. Together we celebrate the life of a faithful, fantastic man.

A celebration of Leo’s life will take place in Laurel Community Church in Hillsboro, Oregon on Friday, December 21st, at 1pm.

Leo will be privately laid to rest in Skyline Memorial Gardens in the garden of Atonement.

Remembrances in lieu of flowers may be made to Laurel Community Church.

Please visit the online guestbook located at this site. Thank you.