Gary Dean Landis

Gary Dean Landis of Marco Island, Florida passed away on January 29th at Physicians Regional. He was 83 years old. Gary was preceded in death by his mother, Mary Ester Dykeman and father, Euless Dean (E. Dean) Landis of Aurora Illinois. He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Anne DeVotie Landis, his sons Gary ‘Dean’ Landis, Jr (Jennifer) of Westport, CT, and James Dean Landis (Samantha) of Tampa, Florida as well as his grandchildren, Sloane, Gary ‘Dean’ III, Pierce and Hugh.

Gary attended Evanston Township High School and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign where he was an Evans Scholar. He went on to play on both the university football and golf teams. Gary was an outdoorsman who loved to shoot, fish and hunt.

Gary was a consummate advertising executive who focused on the international market while working for Compton Advertising later to become Saatchi and Saatchi. He and Anne met in Mexico City on a blind date in 1968, and began married life in San Juan, Puerto Rico where both children were born. Over the years they lived in Manila, Philippines as well as Westport, CT just outside of New York City.

During his lifetime Gary was fortunate to hold leadership positions both professionally and in his personal life as the Head of Latin America, President and CEO of several of the company’s subsidiaries as well as President of Aspetuck Valley Country Club in Weston CT, and The Chair of the American Cancer Society on Marco Island.

Gary’s mother and father first came to Marco Island in the 50’s, fell in love with the island and purchased a condominium in 1968. In 1973, they built a home on the island which the family still owns.

Gary will be remembered especially for his fundraising efforts on the island. With his friend, Don Henderson, Gary started “Shoot Down Kids Cancer” which raises money for pediatric cancer research. He was honored by the American Cancer

Society with the Grado award in 2019 here on Marco Island for his fund-raising efforts. Additionally, he was the chair of the Island Golf and Country Club’s Charitable Foundation for six years and served as a board member of the Fire and Rescue Foundation until his death.

A Celebration of Life will be held at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 1101 N. Collier Blvd., Marco Island, FL followed by a reception on Wednesday, February 28, 2024 at 10:00 am. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the American Cancer Society and/or St. Mark’s Episcopal Church.