Jonathan Gary Landrum, Sr.

Life Reflection

Jonathan Gary Landrum Sr. made the simple things in life exciting for himself.  He sat down for hours honing his skills as a chess player, hit the golf course to perfect his swing and found his safe place at the lake fishing until he caught several large bass or catfish.  As an avid football fan, he loved watching the Kansas City Chiefs face off against any opponent on Sundays.  But he also used Sundays to preach the gospel as an associate minister at Metropolitan Baptist Church.

Even though his first name was Jonathan, most people knew him as Gary.  He loved celebrating with family and loved ones, particularly during the holidays - where he spent time playing dominoes or chess with anyone who wanted to fellowship and only to lose a couple games.

Gary arrived in this world on August 30, 1956, to Roberta (Miller) Landrum.  He was one of six children, growing up in Kansas City, Kansas.  He attended Northwest Junior High School, Wyandotte High School, and Kansas Wesleyan University in Salina, where he suited up as the college’s star running back in the late 1970s.  He received a Bachelor of Arts graduating from Kansas Wesleyan in 1980.  He also attended and graduated from Western Baptist Bible College in Kansas City, Missouri in 2009.  He received his Bachelor of Arts in Christian Theology.

Gary faced various obstacles throughout his life, but he learned to overcome adversity through his faith while clinging to the wise words of the Bible.  One of his favorite scriptures was Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”  You would hear him saying “Awesome” when he was encouraged or uplifting someone’s accomplishments.

 At age 10, Gary confessed a hope of Christ and was baptized at Metropolitan Baptist Temple.

Gary worked for several companies over his adult employment years starting off with Radio Shack, where he worked as a Store Manager for a few years.  Osco Drugs where he was a General Manager for several stores.  He worked for Sprint for 12 years covering a multitude of roles such as Test Engineer II, Project Manager, Manager, Team Leader/Supervisor.  Gary then went and spent a couple of years at Harvard Risk Management working as a manager. Watermark Business Solutions, Corporate Trainer, caught his attention for about four years.  His last job which he clocked into was US Bank, Call Center Consulting Manager, where he was there for two years.

He was involved with several ministries at Metropolitan Baptist Church, Associate Ministers (2000), Ordained Deacon (1999), Laymen, Audio/Video, Family Life Ministry, Disciples Leader, and taught Sunday School.  The Senior Saints Ministry held a special place in his heart, where he was the Ministry Leader.

Gary put together a book on “How to Land a Job” for high school students in the Kansas City, Kansas area reaching more than 360 students.  He also received various awards from Metropolitan Baptist Church.  He also received an Aspire Award (Football Scholarship).

Gary was united in holy matrimony to Loretta Shields Landrum in Kansas City, Kansas in 1980. They were married for 38 years.

He was preceded in death by Roberta Landrum, mother; Lloyd (Rose) Harrison, brother; and Wayne Landrum, brother.

He is survived by Loretta Shields Landrum of Kansas City, Kansas; his son, Jonathan Jr. (Monique) Landrum; and their daughter, Jada Landrum of Los Angeles, California; his daughter, Krysta Landrum of Austin, Texas; his brothers, Vernon (Coretta) Harrison of Gardena, California; his children, Arlena Harrison; and Kim Harrison; Harold (Marva) Harrison of Kansas City, Kansas; and their three children, Tracy Young, Terrell Young and Jerome Harrison; (Cheryl) Landrum; and their three children, Micah Landrum; Natosha Landrum; and Nicolette Landrum; his sister, Carita Landrum McDade; and her son, Xavier Buffington; a host of great-nieces, great-nephews, other relatives and friends.

Gary was a born teacher.  He mentored countless youth, who he took under his wing.  He would often be found guiding aspiring young football players through drills or instructing young men and women the value of faith.  You could never tell where his influence stopped.

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