Oliver Landis

Oliver was born on March 3, 1947 in Charlotte, North Carolina, the son of the late Oliver Dockery Landis and Virginia Loving Landis. Oliver was an avid outdoorsman. He had a passion for hunting, fishing and boating. Oliver loved the waters of Masonboro Sound, the Cape Fear River and the creeks of Bald Head Island. As a teenager, he spent his summers on Wrightsville Beach, working in his grandmother’s hotel “The Landis”, where he served such distinguished guests as William Friday, President of the University of North Carolina, who was a close friend of his beloved grandmother. It was from her that he learned the hospitality business and carried these lessons all of his life. He was a voracious reader and did so every night. He was particularly interested in military history, as his father was a Naval Veteran of World War I and World War II. Oliver enjoyed playing duplicate bridge and appreciated the intellectual challenge and social aspect of the game. He was an original PSL owner of the Carolina Panthers. He will be missed by his fellow Panther fans and tailgating friends. Oliver was a loving husband, father and grandfather. His life is an example of what a person can accomplish with hard work and determination. He was President and CEO of Burlan Corporation prior to his retirement in 2016. He was also the owner of Oliver’s on the Cape Fear, and the soon to be open Moore Street Oyster Bar, both in his newly adopted hometown of Southport. As CEO of Burlan, Oliver traveled the world from Europe to Asia to South Africa in his dealings in the textile industry. This enhanced the expansion of a global economy and for Oliver, this led to personal growth, perspective and insight into the international connectivity of business and humanity, which helped to guide him in his daily life. In addition, he served his community as a member of the Southport Planning Board. While his family and friends mourn their loss, they celebrate his remarkable and full life. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother-in-law, Mr. Frank C. Smith.

He is survived by his loving wife Suzanne, who was constantly by his side; daughter Caroline Carter, husband Sean; grandson Cole and granddaughter Keely of Garner, NC; son Oliver Landis, III, wife Courtney; granddaughters Claudia and Olivia of Columbia, SC; stepson Brian Durn, wife Leanna and granddaughter Isabella, of Charlotte, NC; sister Virginia (Ginny) Smith of Charlotte, NC; nephew Frank Smith, wife Catherine of Charlotte, NC; niece Virginia Ellison, husband Doug of Charlotte, NC; nephew Oliver Smith, wife Robin, of Boone, NC; sister Carolyn Coleman, husband Bob of St. Augustine, FL; nephew Peter Loftis, wife Patty of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL; nephew Platt Loftis, wife Lori of Winter Springs, FL.

A service by the graveside will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, July 7, 2017 at Elmwood Cemetery in Charlotte, NC.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, stjude.org or Adopt-An-Angel Animal Rescue, adoptanangel.net.