Obituary
J. B. VanLandingham


J. B. VanLandingham died on June 27, 2014. He was born to Corrie Pryor and J. B. VanLandingham, Sr. on April 4, 1916 in West Point, MS. He was predeceased by his mother and father and three sisters. His family moved to Starkville in 1927. He graduated from Starkville High School in 1932 as Salutatorian and attended Mississippi State College (now Mississippi State University) for two years and was a member of the Kappa Alpha Order.
He attended the US Naval Academy and graduated with Distinction in 1938. He worked in New York City with Westinghouse Elevator Company and met and married Joan Randall.
Van received a commission in the US Naval Reserve and taught at Iowa Pre Flight School during World War II.
He returned to Starkville after the war and started VanLandingham Lumber Company on January 1, 1946 and operated the business for 50 years and retired on January 1,1996.
Van helped to restart the United Way in Starkville. He was a member of the Starkville School Board and was a member of the Chamber of Commerce and served as president in 1954. He was a member of the Rotary Club serving as president in 1956-57. He was a long time member of the Methodist Church and served on many committees and was chairman of the official board.
He served for 34 years on the Board of Directors of the National Bank of Commerce (now Cadence Bank) and on its Executive Committee for many years.
Joan died from cancer in August 1997. Vera Wiles husband, Fred, died of cancer in 1996.Van and Vera had known each other for many years and with the blessing of both families they were married at the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection on September 2, 2000.
Two highlights of his life were the celebration of his 90th Birthday hosted by his children and grandchildren and attending his 70th class reunion of the US Naval Academy in June 2008.
He is survived by his wife, Vera, four children David (wife Sherrie), Linda (husband Bill Eggbeer), Martha VanLandingham, Lynn Wiles, eight grandchildren and six great grandchildren.
A Memorial Service will be held at the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection on July 5, 2014. Visitation will be at 10:00 am. followed by a Memorial Service at 11:00 am. Memorials may be made to the Columbarium Fund, The Episcopal Church of the Resurrection (105 North Montgomery, Starkville, MS. 39759) or a charity of your choice