Robert Earnest Vanlandingham

He was born in Duncan, Oklahoma on November 29, 1935 to Marvin and Ella Vanlandingham. Robert was a three year letterman at Duncan High School, excelling in basketball, track, and football where he was the team captain and an All American Honorable Mention. He was also selected to play in the Oil Bowl in 1954. Robert continued his passion for football playing for Oklahoma A&M University, now known as Oklahoma State University. He also was a Distinguished Military Graduate of the ROTC program and the Beta Theta Pi Fraternity. Robert was also a member of various honorary clubs and organizations. Robert graduated with a BA in geology, and later earned his MBA degree from the University of Missouri.

He was married to Mary Pat Holcomb on August 17, 1957. They have had 58 years of a loving marriage, full of family, travels and life-long friends.

He was commissioned as a 2nd Lt. in the U.S. Army following his graduation and began a 15 year career in the military. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for Meritorious Achievement for his service in The Vietnam War in 1969, as well as, a National Defense Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Vietnam Service Medal, a Vietnam Campaign Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and an Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.

Upon completion of a distinguished military career, he returned to Columbia, Missouri and served in the school district for seven years. He was involved in many community activities, but his most proud one was the fundraising and building the Rock Bridge High School Football Stadium. He also had the pleasure of being on the Board of the “Dad’s Club” of his daughter’s Pi Beta Phi Sorority. Special Olympics also held a special place in his heart. He not only raised funds but helped in their sporting events. Robert and Pat began another chapter in their lives as successful real estate investors including property management and continued their property investments in Boulder, Colorado. Although he lived in Boulder many years, the pull of Duncan was always strong. He attended not only their numerous class reunions but traveled often to their monthly luncheons.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Jerilyn Boone. He is survived by his beloved wife, Mary Pat, of Conroe, Texas; daughter, Julie Hough and her husband, William Hough of The Woodlands, Texas; son, David and his wife, Laura of Winter Garden, Florida. Grandchildren include; Travis Van Hough of Spring, Texas and his fiancé Erica Reyes also of Spring, Texas, Kelli Hough of Houston, Texas, Drew Hough of Norman, Oklahoma, Brandon Vanlandingham of Las Vegas, Tiffany Gallegos also of Las Vegas, Dylan and Daniel Vanlandingham of Winter Garden, Florida. He is also survived by his brother, Donald Vanlandingham and his wife Mimi of Longmont, Colorado and his brother-in-law, Jim Holcomb of Willis, Texas, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and his beloved dog, Roxie.

Robert enjoyed may years of sharing his passions with his children and grandchildren including football, coaching, scouting, fishing, camping, as well as, encouraging their own passions. He was on the board of many churches and served in various capacities. His firm Christian beliefs were exemplified in his daily life.

Visitation will be on Wednesday, February 10, 2016 from 5-7 p.m. at Forest Park, The Woodlands Funeral Home and Cemetery. The funeral will be on Thursday, February 11, 2016 at 11 a.m. at the same location, burial to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made in his honor to the Wounded Warrior Project and University of Texas M.D Anderson Cancer Center.

A memorial service in Duncan, Oklahoma at the First Christian Church is planned for March.