David Jay Landon was born May 28, 1958, to John and Judith (Carmean) Landon, in Rochester, Michigan. 

He was a 1977 graduate of Bay Senior High in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, and a 1981 graduate from LeTourneau University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering with a Welding emphasis.  He most recently was the manager of Welding Engineering at Vermeer Corporation, a manufacturer of construction, industrial and agricultural equipment located in Pella, Iowa.  He had worked for Vermeer for over 25 years where he had responsibility for welding engineering, metallurgy, and welder training. In 2012 Dave was awarded with the Bob Vermeer Spirit of Caring Award, honoring his commitment to trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship.

 Dave served on the board of directors for the American Welding Society (AWS) from 2007-2017. In 2009 Dave was inducted as a member of AWS Counselors and in 2015 served as AWS President. He also served as a trustee of the AWS Foundation 2014-2015.  He had recently been appointed as the 2020-2023 President of the International Institute of Welding, an international consortium of the welding associations of over 53 member countries.
 
Dave served on numerous welding advisory committees for high schools and community colleges and universities. One of his shining passions was to invest in, mentor and disciple the next generation.  He was a member of the board of directors for Iowa SkillsUSA and was a competition coordinator for the state competitions in welding, welding fabrication, and welding sculpture. It undoubtedly brought Dave great joy to see students excited about skilled trades. The fire he had for mentorship was contagious. 

  During a snowstorm on December 29, 1982, he was united in marriage to Kay Beekman in Lakota, Iowa. To this union they were blessed with four children: Jonathan, Christopher, Jeremiah and Maggie-Anne. As a self-described "introvert", he actively lived out many passions. Without knowing Dave's engineering background, one would have assumed he was a salesman. He had an amazing talent for bringing people together, connecting them and inspiring them to reach for the unreachable. His electricity could not be ignored.

He had an amazing relationship with God, one that lived and breathed. He threw it in his work, was bold in his faith, and was unafraid to share the gospel with those who needed to hear. Dave had been an active member of Liberty Evangelical Free Church, where he had previously served as an elder.

Dave loved his wife and family without end. He supported them in their activities, encouraged them to chase their dreams, and guided them on their walks with Christ. It brought him great joy to watch their families grow.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife Kay, and their family:

Jonathan (Mary) Landon, Iowa City, Iowa

            Ethan, Nora, Elsie, Mason

Christopher (Megan) Landon, Houston, Texas

            Abigail, Elisha, Caleb

Jeremiah (Reba) Landon, Ft. Madison, Iowa

            Harvey, Anna

Maggie-Anne (Trevor) Volz, Perry, Iowa

            Lena, Walter

David is also survived by his mother Judy Ralph of Pella, his sister Anna (Carl) McIntyre of Pass Christian, Mississippi, his sister-in-law Wendy Landon of Knoxville, Tennessee, and many other extended family members.

David was preceded in death by his father John Landon, his step-father Dennis Ralph, his brother Thomas J. Landon, and his sister-in-law Terri Landon. 

* In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to AWS Foundation - David J. Landon Scholarship.