Fritz Eugene Landers

July 8, 1935 - March 3, 2021

Fritz E. Landers went to his heavenly homecoming on 3 March at 10:30 PM. Fritz was born on 8 July, 1935 to Roger Q. Landers and Emmie E. (Luckenbach) Landers. As a boy, he participated in 4H, showing calves and Rambouillet sheep. In high school, Fritz loved sports and played varsity basketball, track, and was quarterback for the Menard Yellowjackets. He was in Spanish Club, Science Club, Annual Staff, and was vice-president of his Senior class. He was selected Best All Around, and graduated class Valedictorian in 1953. Fritz attended Texas A&M. He became a member of the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets, and his class of ‘57 was the last “Fish Band”. It was the last year the Corp’s entire fish class was housed at the Aggie Annex, where they also attended classes. Sophomore year they then moved to main campus. He was a member of the Presbyterian Student Club, the San Angelo Hometown Club, the 4H Club, and Phi Eta Sigma. He was designated a Distinguished Student every semester of his career at A&M. Sophomore year, he became a member of the Range and Forestry Club. As a Junior, he joined Ross Volunteers, Alpha Zeta, Phi Kappa Phi, and the Ag Student Council. He was one of the originators of the Edwards Plateau Hometown Club, of which he was chosen vice-president. That year he was designated as a Distinguished Military Student in the Transportation Corps by the Military Department. His Junior hear he participated in the National Range Plant Identification Team, in which his team placing him first in the nation. Fritz placed high-man in the national contest, becoming the individual national champion. As a Senior, he became president of the Range and Forestry Club, Chancellor of Alpha Zeta, treasurer of the Ag Council, chairman of the Inter Council Committee, a member of the Agriculturist staff, and a Cadet Major on the Consolidated Band Staff. He loved being in the Fighting Texas Aggie band, where he was selected and proudly marched in Bugle Rank. Didn’t matter that he played saxophone, not trumpet—he was very tall and could march straight! In 1957 he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Range and Forestry. He received an officer’s commission in the U.S. Army, reported for duty at Ft. Eustice, Virginia where he served honorably and was discharged as a 1st Lieutenant, continuing in the reserves. Fritz and Jimmie were married on Aug 23rd, 1958 after a whirlwind courtship--three years of letter writing, while Jimmie was in nursing school in Baltimore, and Fritz for his final 2 years at Texas A&M then jobs in Wyoming and Menard. They were wed in a small, beautiful Episcopal country church near Baltimore, after which they honeymooned in the scenic Pocono mountains. Fritz and his bride Jimmie settled in Menard, Fritz joining his Dad on the ranch. They lived on the Landers’ Ranch until 1963, while bringing up daughters Vivien, Kappy, and Carol. They went back to College Station, where Fritz completed his teaching certification. They then relocated to Leakey, Texas where Fritz became head of the Leakey Grammar School-High School math department, and coached the Women’s Basketball Team. Fritz enjoyed making frames for Jimmie’s art paintings. He developed a business grafting pecan trees, at the family pecan orchard and for the public. Many Regional and State champion award winning pecan crops originated from the Landers’ pecan orchard in Menard. In 1968, the family moved back to Aggieland to earn a Masters degree in Education Administration, completed in 1970. Fritz decided to start over in Veterinary School. At the age of 39 years, in 1974, Fritz earned his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine, and the family moved to Mason. After a year of Veterinary practice with the Rosberg Clinic in a down cattle market, Fritz taught school for a few years at Mason High School. He served as head of the Science Department, and taught Biology and Chemistry. After operating his own Veterinary Clinic, Fritz was elected County Judge of Mason, becoming the first Republican judge in Mason’s history. He was well respected for his firm but fair “by the book” rulings. He also began writing weekly courthouse commentary articles for the Mason newspaper. Veterinary Medicine became a secondary job, but by the 16th year as Judge, practically no time was available to treat animals. He also initiated and personally handled jail ministry while he was judge. As judge, he became quite popular at performing weddings. In 1977, Fritz became a football official with the Southwest Officials Association. He was very involved recruiting others to become local officials, and he greatly enjoyed the camaraderie and friendships that came of it. Fritz and family attended St. Paul Lutheran Church, the Methodist Church, and later Grace Fellowship Church. He was a founder of Grace Christian School from its beginning in 1986. He became principal in 2009 and taught classes until he retired in 2018. He sponsored and traveled with students to Student Leadership Conventions held at ORU and Coastal Plains. He enjoyed the men’s fishing retreats on the river. He encouraged students to volunteer for community service. He served on the church board of Mason Community Church and school board for Grace Christian School. He was loved and honored by students and parents alike. Fritz was a member of the Mason Chapter of the International Association of Lions Clubs. He served as President, Secretary, and also treasurer. He also participated in the Concho Valley of Governments, and the Ministerial Alliance. In the early 1990’s Fritz accepted responsibility for the management of the Landers’s family ranch in Menard. Fritz continued football officiating, even though each year the field seemed to become longer and wider! Finally, at the age of 69, he officially retired and gave away all his football official’s uniforms to prevent un-retiring. He then did statistics for the Puncher home games. He continued to be a loyal Puncher fan even when he couldn’t attend. He would watch on TV or listen by radio-- usually while shelling pecans. Over the years and the many moves, our family enjoyed the places we lived and the dear friends we made. Fritz also loved his garden, his fruit trees, and picking pecans. Each year he enthusiastically placed entries in annual pecan competition, not just his, but for friends and neighbors. He was honored by the Hill Country Community Action Association (HCCAA) for his dedicated service as a board member of the organization for 40 years. He is survived by his bride of 62 years, Jimmie, and daughters Vivien, Kathy, and Carol, brother Roger Q. “Jake” Landers, and brother John Brooks Landers. His sister, Susanna (Landers) Brown of Menard, preceded him to heaven. The Landers family is deeply grateful and thankful for the nurses, aids, health professionals, and employees at Menard Manor, Concho Health and Rehab, Solaris Hospice, and Eden Hospital for the amazing kindness, attentiveness, compassion, and dignity they gave Fritz during his stay. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Grace Christian School, P.O. Box 900, Mason Tx, 76856. His memorial service will be held at a later date. Condolences may be sent to the family on-line at (heritagefuneraltx.com). Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Heritage Funeral Home of Brady.