J. E. Landon

(From Ozark Funeral Home)

James Ernest Landon, Jr., age 99, of Anderson, Missouri, passed from this life to his heavenly home on Thursday afternoon, October 30, 2025 in the comfort of his home. Known as J.E., Dad, Papa J.E. or Coach, the lives he impacted were many. He loved his God, his family, his farm, his cows and all of his many “boys” that he coached.

J.E. was born on August 20, 1926 in Seneca, Missouri, to the late James Ernest and Jettie Louise (Shaver) Landon. He graduated from Seneca High School where he excelled in athletics.

 

Although he enlisted in the Navy, served his country and left Seneca, he always loved is hometown. Upon his return from the service he went to work on the farm until Red Robertson saw him playing basketball and offered him a scholarship to Northeastern Oklahoma A&M. At NEO he played basketball, football and baseball. After graduating from NEO, he was offered a football scholarship to Oklahoma City University where he completed his degree. 

His coaching career included time at Wyandotte, Oklahoma, Carthage, Missouri, Fairfax, Oklahoma and Grove, Oklahoma. He coached almost all sports at one time or another, boys and girls, including football, basketball, baseball, golf and track. As a football coach his overall record over twenty-four years was 155-86-9. 

Only three times in his career did his teams fall below .500. He reached the state championship game twice, both times runner-up (1957 with Fairfax and 1963 with Grove). He had a great love for his players even though it was many times “tough love”. Coach Landon was honored to have been a past president of the Oklahoma High School Coaches Association (2 years), coached the All-State football game in 1959 (win), is a member of the Oklahoma Coaches Hall of Fame and the Grove High School Athletic Hall of Fame. 

He married the love of his life, Nadine Mobra, on August 7, 1953. They shared sixty-three years together until her passing on February 19, 2017. Their union produced two daughters, Karen Grimmett and husband, Mike, of Seneca and Donna Landon of Chelsea. He was preceded in death by his wife, Nadine; parents Ern and Jettie and a sister, Mary Jane Rogers. He is survived by his daughters and son-in-law; grandchildren Gary Grimmett, Kacie Thomas and husband, Chad, Clint Grimmett and wife, Bethany; great-grandchildren, Lillian, Caleb and Hannah Grimmett and Landon, Lincoln and Sawyer Thomas; as well as a host of other family and friends.

Graveside services with full military honors are 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, November 5, 2025 at New Bethel Cemetery in Anderson, Missouri with Justin Steadman and Jason Dill officiating. Following the graveside service lunch will be served at Buffalo Creek Baptist Church. Those honoring his life by serving as pallbearers are Gary Grimmett, Clint Grimmett, Mike Grimmitt, Chad Thomas, James Shaver and Ty Shaver. The family will receive friends on Tuesday evening from 5-7:00 p.m. at Ozark Funeral Home in Anderson, Missouri. Memorials are being directed to the Alzheimer’s Association c/o the funeral home. Arrangement are under the care of Ozark Funeral Home in Anderson, Missouri.