Johnnie Ray Landers

Johnnie Ray Landers, age 79 passed away peacefully on Friday, February 14 at 2:19 pm in Gainesville, Georgia. Johnnie fought a brave battle against cancer, never complaining over these last months. He never lost hope and never lost his dignity. His Gainesville family surrounded him and cared for him until the very end.

Johnnie was born in Asheville, North Carolina where he grew up and graduated from A.C. Reynolds High School. He was a star football player during his high school years. Johnnie served honorably for the United States Navy from June 1964 until June 1970 as an electrician on the USS Shrangri-La. He moved to Gainesville, Georgia after his time in the military to be closer to his parents. Johnnie worked hard and helped them survive through some precarious times. He was a man of many trades. He drove for Roadway Trucking for almost twenty years while living in Gainesville. He was an excellent carpenter and helped build the homes on our family property. He enjoyed working on his many trucks, he loved sports, and was an avid NASCAR fan. He also enjoyed nights of coon hunting with his father.  

Johnnie is survived by his brother and sister, Tommy Landers of Asheville, NC and Pauline Giles of Gainesville, Georgia. He is also survived by his niece, Charlene Hudson and son Cullen Warwick, his nephew Jimmy Giles, wife Tracy Giles, children, Justin and Jessica Giles. Nephew Charles Hudson, wife Beverly and daughter Amber. Niece Kim Kalogeras and husband Nick, nephew Lance Landers and wife Melissa and children. Great niece Jennifer Mangiero and husband Mike, great nephew Dusty Giles, wife Stasia and children. Johnnie is preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Minnie Landers, sister, Wanda Lee Hudson, niece and nephew Lissa Giles Price and Jeffrey Paul Giles.

The Giles, Hudson and Landers families are extremely grateful to Johnnie’s home hospice team from Northeast Georgia Medical Center. 

Memorial Park Riverside Chapel, 989 Riverside Drive, Gainesville, GA 30501.

For online condolences www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com .