Richard Cleo Landess

Richard Cleo Landess, age 84, of Osawatomie, Kansas, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 4, 2025, at Rock Creek of Ottawa.

Richard was born on October 6, 1940, in Wellsville, Kansas, the youngest of three children and the only son of Claude Franklin and Cecel Naomi (Hay) Landess. He grew up in a hardworking family and graduated from Ottawa High School with the Class of 1958. Following graduation, Richard farmed alongside his father, instilling in him a deep love for the land.

On June 21, 1964, Richard married the love of his life, Patty Sue Ball, at Ruhamah Baptist Church in Rantoul. Together, they built a life centered on faith and family. Their union was blessed with three children: Denny, Ronda, and Gera. Through the years, they worked diligently to show the love of Jesus to their family.

A skilled craftsman, Richard was a carpenter who built and remodeled numerous homes, for a time operating under the name Toul Town Builders with his son. Through the years, he worked with many skilled carpenters sharing his knowledge of building and keen sense of questionable scaffolding.

Richard’s calling to ministry was evident in every facet of his life. He served as Youth Pastor and Associate Pastor at the First Baptist Church in Louisburg before becoming the Pastor of Green Valley Baptist Church in Osawatomie in 1985. His pastoral career spanned 45 years, during which he touched countless lives through his unwavering faith and love. During those years, he was so pleased to be the officiant of all his children’s and grandchildren’s marriages.

Outside of work and ministry, Richard loved being in God’s creation. Fishing, hunting, gardening, bird watching and his cows gave him endless hours of joy that he shared with all around him. Nothing brought him greater happiness, however, than time spent with Pat, his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. His quick humor and an underlying threat of mischief will be remembered by all who knew him.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Claude and Cecel Landess, sister Ramona Taylor and brothers in law Lee Taylor, Eugene Weller, Merritt Ball and Roger Ball.

He is survived by his devoted wife of 60 years, Pat, of the home; his children: Denny Landess and wife Michelle, Ronda Newton and husband Dean, and Gera Coates and husband Todd; his sister Rosetta Weller; five grandchildren: Allysha (Tim) Walmann, Tiffany (Hunter) Taylor, Tyler (Stefani) Landess, Bailey Newton, and Tucker (Andri) Landess; and eight great-grandchildren: Griffin Walmann, Payton and Easton Taylor, Emily, Braiden, Lilly, Anna, and Paxtyn Landess. He also leaves behind many extended family members and dear friends who will miss him deeply.

Richard lived a life of faith, love, and a devotion to his savior—one that will be remembered and cherished by all who knew him.

Funeral Service will be Thursday May 8, 2025 at the Green Valley Baptist Church of Osawatomie at 10:30 am. Visitation will be from 10am until service time. Burial at Ruhamah Cemetery.

Contributions are to The Central Heights Clay Busters and may be sent c/o Eddy Birchard P.O. Box 430 Osawatomie, KS 66064.