Michael R. Landon

1941 - 2007

On January 28, 1941, Mike was born in Lafayette, Louisiana to Ralph and Ella Landon. The family moved to Taft, California in 1945 where he attended Saint Mary's School, then to Bakersfield, California and attended Saint Frances School, Garces High School and Bakersfield High School. Beginning in 1958, he served honorably in the United States Navy where he was stationed in Japan and served on the USS Tortuga and the USS Ranger until his discharge in 1962. He passed away peacefully in Orofino, Idaho after a long illness. For most of his career, he worked globally for several major oil companies in many different capacities. His work took him to the North Sea, Iran, Iraq and the Mediterranean Sea. Additionally he worked in numerous locations throughout the United States including the North Slope in Alaska. Mike was a gifted millwright and also worked for several logging companies in Oregon. One of his last major accomplishments was being an instrumental part in the Rehabilitation and MAX Construction of The Steel Bridge over the Willamette River in Portland, Oregon. Mike was very proud of this project and was pictured in an article about this bridge that appeared in ENR-Engineering News Record. Mike had a passion for the outdoors. He was an avid hunter, fisherman and acquired an extensive gun collection. He and his sister, Janis, enjoyed several fishing trips and excursions. And everyone who knew him will remember his distinctive sense of humor. Mike is succeeded by his wife of 18 years, Sandy; daughter and son-in-law, Michelle and Mike Jones; sister and brother-in-law, Janis and Paul Burzych; stepdaughter and son-in law, Kim and Wayne Wenthin; stepgranddaughter, Tara Wenthin; nephew, Mike Cesmat and wife, Nancy; great-nephews, Michael and Evan Cesmat; several cousins and many friends. The family would like to extend special thanks to Doctors Meza and McGrath and the entire nursing staff at Clearwater Valley Hospital in Orofino, Idaho for the compassionate and wonderful care they gave to Mike during his final days. Memorial services and final disposition will take place in Vancouver, Washington at a later date. Michael R. Landon Jan. 28, 1941 - Aug. 18, 2007

This obituary was originally published in the Bakersfield Californian.