Jack Maxam Landers, Ed.D, age 87, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 4, 2023 in Warrensburg, MO.

Jack was born on October 22, 1935 to Lee Loyd and Margaret Pauline (Maxam) Landers in LaTour, MO. He grew up on the family farm helping his father with farming and riding along with him during his trucking business. He graduated from LaTour High school in 1953.

Jack met the love of his life, Mary Lee Clark, at a 4-H function and they married on August 1, 1954. They had three children, Garry, Cheryl and Jacklyn. They lived on the farm until Jack graduated from Central Missouri State College (CMSC) and they moved to Rolla where Jack began teaching Junior High Industrial Arts from 1964-1966.

He then started teaching at College High School in 1966, as an instructor and supervising teacher of Industrial Arts, then moved to teaching at CMSC. Jack earned his Masters of Education from CMSC and his Doctorate of Education in Industrial Education and Higher Education Administration at the University of Missouri in 1972. He did postdoctoral work at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater in Alternate Energy Technology. He was a Professor of Construction Management and also served as the Construction and Technology Department Chair from 1981-1991. He served as Assistant Dean of Applied Sciences and Technology from 1987-1991, while also serving as coordinator of the Construction Management program from 1981 until his retirement in 2000.

Jack received the Byler Distinguished Faculty Award, the highest faculty award at CMSU in 1999. He had a long and distinguished career of 38 years. He remained as a part time Professor Emeritus of Industrial technology until 2002. He was a member of the graduate faculty at CMSU and Indiana State University.

Jack played an instrumental role in curriculum delivery for the Bachelor of Science degree in Construction Management, was involved in efforts to win accreditation from the National Association of Industrial Technology (NAIT) and the American Council for Construction Education (ACCE), and helped facilitate the assessment plan for the Department of Manufacturing and Construction. He served as a member of the Board of Trustees of ACCE and many other professional organizations during his career.

Jack was selected and honored in the Who's Who Among America's Teachers in 2002. He was also honored as the Outstanding University Professor for NAIT, University Division, Region 4 in 1991.

Jack wrote textbooks for Goodheart-Wilcox and wrote seven passages in the World Book Encyclopedia including Quonset Hut and Adobe. You can still find his name as an author in the volume A.

Jack loved to fish and attended many opening days at Roaring River State Park – a tradition his son and family continues. In recent years, he didn't fish much, but would sit in the lodge and watch others come and go and enjoyed hearing their "fish stories."

After retirement, Jack worked with the Johnson County Historical Society and the SAR-Sons of the American Revolution. He loved to travel, going as far as Taiwan, Europe, Hawaii, and all over the United States. But, his favorite places were Santa Fe and Albuquerque, NM. He traveled there for many years with his good friend, Bill Downs and did they have stories to tell! He loved collecting Native American art, including pots, Zuni fetishes, and Kokopellis…and loved sharing them with his family.

Jack was a member of First Presbyterian Church and served as an Elder and on many committees for more than 50 years.

Anyone who met Jack would know that he always had a smile on his face and loved to help those around him succeed. He was very proud of his children and grandchildren and loved to share their accomplishments with anyone who would listen. He was a great father and grandfather, always there with a hug for all of us.

He was preceded in death by his parents Loyd and Margaret Landers and his beloved wife Mary Lee.

His survivors include his son Garry Clark Landers and wife Cheryl, LaTour; daughter Cheryl Ann Landers, Warrensburg and daughter Jacklyn Lee Hasso and husband Don of Warrensburg. Grandchildren Clark Landers, Stephanie (Ben) Krupa, Marissa (Zach) Bralick, Clifton (Trisha) Landers, David Hasso, Kyle (Caitlin) Lackey, Anissa (Jalen) Hasso, and Alex (Ray) Lackey, twelve great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers are Clark Landers, Clifton Landers, David Hasso, Kyle Lackey, Ben Krupa and Zach Bralick.

A funeral service will be held Saturday, January 7 at 11:00 AM at the Presbyterian Church in Warrensburg, MO. A visitation will be held from 10:00AM until the time of service. A Graveside will follow the funeral at Sunset Hill Cemetery in Warrensburg, MO.

In Lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to the Malawi Fund for the University of Mzuzu Children's Library in the care of the First Presbyterian Church of Warrensburg.