William Oscar "W. O." Landen, Jr., age 87, of Lavonia, passed away at his residence Saturday, May 25, 2024.

He was born November 15, 1936, in Wilson, NC, the son of the late William Oscar Landen, Sr. and Mildred Ennis Landen. He was a graduate of Charles L. Coon High School in Wilson and Wake Forest University. He worked for more than thirty years with the Food and Drug Administration as a research chemist. After retirement, he worked for the University of Georgia and co-authored two books on vitamin analysis that are used in education across the country. Mr. Landen was passionate about positively affecting the lives of young men with the message of Christ, through teaching Sunday School for more than thirty years. He also made sure that he had a basketball court at home where he continued to mentor them. He was a member of the Lavonia First Baptist Church. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of seventy years: Martha Reynolds Landen.

He is survived by his children: William Edwin "Ted" Landen (Leslie) and Tammy Landen Rutherford (Bob); grandchildren: Bradley Rutherford (Ana), Landen Norman (Kendarius), Jake Landen (McKinley, Ethan Landen, and Cooper Landen; and great-grandchildren: Kynley Lane Pulliam, Charlie Jane Rutherford, Harper Emily Rutherford, and Everett Cole Landen.

A memorial service will be held for Mr. & Mrs. Landen at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 29, 2024 at the chapel of Strickland Funeral Home in Lavonia with Rev. Chris Chitwood officiating. The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m., until the service. Mr. Landen was cremated in accordance with his request. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Lavonia First Baptist Church, Building Fund, P.O. Box 47, Lavonia, GA 30553.

Strickland Funeral Home of Lavonia is in charge of the arrangements. To sign the online guest register please visit stricklandfh.com.