Obituary of John Thomas Landerfelt

John Thomas Landerfelt, 77, passed away peacefully on Friday, September 9, 2016 at his home in Wattsville, Alabama. John was the son of the late John Landerfelt and Margie (nee Walker) Landerfelt of Birmingham, and raised by his loving stepmother, Margaret (nee DeWitt) Landerfelt. John was a kind and gentle soul who at once embodied hard work, integrity and a sweet thoughtfulness throughout his life. As a man he was quick to laugh, slow to anger, and always had time to listen to friends and family in a way that made one feel they were the center of his world. His personal talents and hobbies ranged from working with iron and steel, to writing poetry alone in his shop. One of the many things he will be missed for was his quiet humor, and the lack of it will make our world a little darker. His life began on October 27, 1938 in North Birmingham. Due to an accident he was severely burned as a child, but was unimpeded and continued to flourish. He graduated from, and played high school football at Tarrant High School. He went to work at U.S. Pipe and Foundry in 1960 over the protest of his family and remained an important part of the workforce there for 42 years. Through strikes and layoffs, he always found ways to work, which was his nature. His abilities and tenacity allowed him to remain employed, whether it was working at dredging operations on rivers throughout the southeast; or in the oil and gas industry in Texas. He was an extraordinary father, and made every day an adventure for his little children and set them on the path of seeing the world for all its possibilities. In his later years, with his beloved wife Annette, he blessed his family as an active part of their lives and traveled the country visiting them. One recent highlight of the family’s love and spirit was a reunion at Gulf Shores, Alabama in 2013. He is survived by his loving wife Annette Manning; Loved Children: John E. and Lisa Landerfelt; Jeff and Kristina Landerfelt; Robin and Chip Sutter; Mike and Kelly Landerfelt; Loved Stepchildren: Charlie and Michelle Hall; Jessi Robbins; Bill Mewbourne; Terri Spears (Rick); John Hicks (Sissy). Eight grandchildren, and seven great grandchildren also survive him. Sister: Mary Jo Langston. Funeral Services will be 11:00 am Thursday, September 15, 2016 at Usrey Funeral Home, Pell City with the Rev. Edwin Talley officiating. Interment will follow at Pope's Chapel Cemetery. The family will receive friends Wednesday from 5:00 until 8:00 pm at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be Shane Manning, Andy McDonald, Mark Manning, Toby Holmes, Josh McKinnon, and John Mark Ford. Honorary Pallbearers will be the Coffee Shop Gang. Memorials may be made to UAB Cancer Center, or to Lakeside Hospice. Condolences may be offered online at www.usreyfuneralhome.com.