Joe Landis, 74, of Ajijic passed away Friday, July 18.

Born August 5, 1933 in Louisville, Kentucky, Landis was raised in LaPorte, Indiana where he played high school basketball. He went on to play basketball at Hanover College where he met Patsy Mauger, his wife of 50 years, who preceded him in death in 2006. 

Landis enlisted in the U.S. Army with the hope that he and his new bride would be stationed in Germany but instead was called to Korea, where he served in Central Intelligence.  After leaving the service, he continued playing basketball for a semi-pro team, the Jamaica Saints.

Landis worked for Whitehall in Elkhart, Indiana for several years, before he and his family settled down in LaPorte, where he was employed by American Home Foods as a purchasing agent.  During this time, he attended the First United Methodist Church, enjoyed singing in the choir and also the barbershop chorus, the Chanteurs.  Golf was also an important part of his life. 

In 1985, Landis and his wife moved to Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, where they resided for 14 years.  There, Landis was a member of the Charleston’s Men’s Chorus, and he had the opportunity to sing in several of the Spoleto festivals.  On retirement, Landis’ sense of adventure was still strong and in 1999 he and Patsy moved to Ajijic.  Music was still an important part of his life and he continued singing in the choir at the Lake Chapala Baptist Church as well as Los Cantantes del Lago.  

Landis is survived by his two daughters, JoEllen Read of Indianapolis, Indiana and Dana Richardson of Clearwater, Florida, and two granddaughters, Kelsey and Morgan Read.

Landis’ sense of humor and musical talents will be missed.  Online condolences may be shared at www.patsy-landis.virtual-memorials.com.  Memorial services are being held in Ajijic at the Lake Chapala Baptist Church on Tuesday, August 5, 11 a.m.