In Memory Of
Burrell H. Landes, Sr.
Burrell H. Landes, Sr.
The sons of Burrell H. Landes, Sr. wish to announce that he passed quietly on the morning of Friday, May 29, 2009, at the exceedingly good age of 97 years.
Burrell had a long, successful life starting with his birth on March 4, 1912, in Niagara Falls, NY, the son of George F. and Anna (Mesle) Landes.
In his final year of high school, he played the Wurlitzer organ for silent films in his home town cinema and went on to play piano for various jazz bands in upstate New York, most notably for the Blue Harmony Boys known for their "Hot, Sweet, Music". With the money he made tinkling the ivory Burrell paid his way through Graceland College in Iowa, moving on to Kansas University, Lawrence, KS where he graduated with a BS in Business in 1937.
At Lawrence, he met Doris Janet Faith and they were united in marriage in October of 1937 in Niagara Falls, NY. To that union three sons were born, Burrell, Jr., Richard, and John.
Burrell worked for the Canadian Carborundum Company and the Power City Trust in Niagara Falls.
The family moved to Kansas City, KS in the 1940's where Burrell worked for North American Aviation. After the war, he worked for Sears and Roebuck before moving his family to Topeka, where he began his career at Adams Business Forms starting as Assistant Chief Accountant to retire as Vice-President in charge of Finance in 1984.
Along the way he served willingly and tirelessly in a number of different charitable organizations: Rotarians, Sertoma, Arab Shrine, and the Boy Scouts of America. As a long-time member of the Shrine, Burrell became a 32nd Degree Mason, and remained active in the Shrine until 2006.
A life-long member of the Community of Christ Church, formerly RLDS, Burrell was their principle organist for most his life in Topeka.
Doris preceded him in death in January of 1983. He married Vera Jones in May of 1984. Burrell and Vera shared 18 years together before she preceded him in death in December of 2002. Survivors include Burrell H., Jr. (Sharon) of Littleton, CO, Richard G. (Barbra) of London, England, and John R. (Denise) of Topeka, KS; Vera's children, Rita Jones of Topeka, and Kevin Jones (Connie) of Indianapolis, IN; 11 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; a brother, Forrest Landes of Kenmore, NY, numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Burrell lived well, laughed often, and loved much.
Private interment will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Topeka. Celebration of life services and visitation will be from 1-8 p.m. at Snyder's Cabin in Gage Park, Topeka, Friday, June 26, 2009. Masonic Services will be conducted at 1:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Shriner's Children's Hospital, C/O Arab Temple, 1301 S. Kansas Ave., Topeka, KS 66612-1332 Midland Hospice, 200 SW Frazier Circle, Topeka, KS 66606 or to Helping Hands Humane Society, 2625 NW Rochester Rd, Topeka, KS 66617. Penwell-Gabel Mid-Town Chapel is assisting the family.
Burrell had a long, successful life starting with his birth on March 4, 1912, in Niagara Falls, NY, the son of George F. and Anna (Mesle) Landes.
In his final year of high school, he played the Wurlitzer organ for silent films in his home town cinema and went on to play piano for various jazz bands in upstate New York, most notably for the Blue Harmony Boys known for their "Hot, Sweet, Music". With the money he made tinkling the ivory Burrell paid his way through Graceland College in Iowa, moving on to Kansas University, Lawrence, KS where he graduated with a BS in Business in 1937.
At Lawrence, he met Doris Janet Faith and they were united in marriage in October of 1937 in Niagara Falls, NY. To that union three sons were born, Burrell, Jr., Richard, and John.
Burrell worked for the Canadian Carborundum Company and the Power City Trust in Niagara Falls.
The family moved to Kansas City, KS in the 1940's where Burrell worked for North American Aviation. After the war, he worked for Sears and Roebuck before moving his family to Topeka, where he began his career at Adams Business Forms starting as Assistant Chief Accountant to retire as Vice-President in charge of Finance in 1984.
Along the way he served willingly and tirelessly in a number of different charitable organizations: Rotarians, Sertoma, Arab Shrine, and the Boy Scouts of America. As a long-time member of the Shrine, Burrell became a 32nd Degree Mason, and remained active in the Shrine until 2006.
A life-long member of the Community of Christ Church, formerly RLDS, Burrell was their principle organist for most his life in Topeka.
Doris preceded him in death in January of 1983. He married Vera Jones in May of 1984. Burrell and Vera shared 18 years together before she preceded him in death in December of 2002. Survivors include Burrell H., Jr. (Sharon) of Littleton, CO, Richard G. (Barbra) of London, England, and John R. (Denise) of Topeka, KS; Vera's children, Rita Jones of Topeka, and Kevin Jones (Connie) of Indianapolis, IN; 11 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; a brother, Forrest Landes of Kenmore, NY, numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Burrell lived well, laughed often, and loved much.
Private interment will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Topeka. Celebration of life services and visitation will be from 1-8 p.m. at Snyder's Cabin in Gage Park, Topeka, Friday, June 26, 2009. Masonic Services will be conducted at 1:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Shriner's Children's Hospital, C/O Arab Temple, 1301 S. Kansas Ave., Topeka, KS 66612-1332 Midland Hospice, 200 SW Frazier Circle, Topeka, KS 66606 or to Helping Hands Humane Society, 2625 NW Rochester Rd, Topeka, KS 66617. Penwell-Gabel Mid-Town Chapel is assisting the family.
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