Dr. Richard Edward Landry

American Press

3 days ago

Dr. Richard Edward Landry passed away Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025, after a brief illness, leaving behind a legacy as rich and enduring as the Louisiana soil that shaped him. Born on Oct. 4, 1943, in Lake Charles to Lee and Willie Landry, 'Dick' was the second of four children and the family's only son—a distinction that prepared him well for a lifetime of being lovingly outnumbered by the remarkable women in his life.
Dick's roots ran deep in Southwest Louisiana, attending local schools including Lake Charles High School, where as a member of the 1958 State Championship football team, he learned early that success comes through teamwork, dedication, and perhaps a little healthy competition. But it was in typing class—of all places—where he would make his most important discovery: Gaye Revelle, the love of his life and future partner in all his many adventures. One can only imagine the young man's relief that his hunt-and-peck typing skills didn't scare away the girl who would become his devoted wife of 57 years.
Following his graduation from LCHS in 1961, Dick enrolled at McNeese State University, where his track career and his studies would be interrupted by a call to serve his country—a call he answered without hesitation. Dick served with distinction in the U.S. Army in Vietnam as a medic in the infantry. His service exemplified the courage and compassion that would define his entire life—running toward danger to heal others, armed with both medical knowledge and an unshakeable faith.
When his service concluded, Dick returned to Louisiana with three clear missions: marry his sweetheart, complete his education, and begin the next chapter of a life devoted to healing. In 1968, he and Gaye wed, beginning a marriage that would become a testament to enduring love, mutual respect, and shared purpose.
Dick completed his undergraduate degree at McNeese before heading to New Orleans to attend LSU School of Medicine. Balancing medical school with newlywed life and the arrival of their growing family required the kind of stamina that would have impressed his old track coaches. After earning his Medical Degree, Dick returned home to complete his Family Practice Residency at Moss Regional Hospital, where Lake Charles—and the broader community—gained not just another physician, but 'Doc'—a healer whose prescription often included equal parts medical wisdom and genuine human connection.
For over three decades, Doc served the Lake Charles community as a Family Physician, treating everything from childhood scraped knees to complex medical conditions. His patients quickly discovered that appointments with Doc often ran long—because he genuinely cared about their lives beyond their symptoms. He remembered birthdays, asked about grandchildren, and somehow always found time to listen, really listen, to what people needed to share.
His colleagues at local hospitals came to recognize Doc's distinctive approach: thorough, compassionate, and infused with a faith that never felt imposed but always offered comfort. He had the rare gift of making complex medical conditions understandable without talking down to patients, and his gentle humor could ease anxiety in even the most stressful situations.
Above all else, Doc was a devoted follower of Jesus Christ, and his faith wasn't something he only wore on Sundays—it was woven into every aspect of his daily life. As a longtime and active member of Trinity Baptist Church, he served as Deacon, Sunday School Teacher, and Trustee, but these titles barely captured his true role as a spiritual mentor and friend to countless individuals.
Doc's vision extended far beyond Lake Charles. His service on the International Mission Board for the Southern Baptist Convention coincided with countless medical mission trips across Africa, Asia, Central America, and beyond. These weren't mere charitable ventures—they were expressions of Doc's conviction that healing bodies and nurturing souls were inseparable callings.
Those who joined him on mission trips often marveled at his boundless energy and enthusiasm. Whether treating patients in remote clinics or sharing his faith around evening campfires, Doc approached each day as a new opportunity to serve. His passport told the story of a man who saw no borders when it came to compassion, no boundaries when it came to love.
Doc's zest for life extended well beyond his medical practice. A passionate supporter of Barbe High School athletics, he served as the Football Team Doctor for several years, combining his love of sports with his dedication to young people's wellbeing. Friday night lights held special meaning for Doc—not just as entertainment, but as opportunities to be present for the community's next generation.
His friends and family often joked that Doc never met a stranger, only friends he hadn't properly introduced himself to yet. His enthusiasm was infectious, whether he was discussing the latest advances in family medicine, sharing stories from his mission trips, or simply celebrating the everyday joys of life in Louisiana.
While Doc touched countless lives in his professional and volunteer work, his greatest pride and joy centered on his family. He and Gaye created a home filled with love, laughter, and the beautiful chaos that comes with raising four daughters. Doc often said that being outnumbered 5-to-1 taught him patience, diplomacy, and the fine art of strategic communication—skills that served him well in both family life and medical practice.
His daughters—Laurel, Wendy, Leslie, and Kelly—knew their father as a man who could be both gentle healer and enthusiastic cheerleader, wise counselor and silly companion. He taught them by example that strength comes in many forms, that faith can move mountains, and that the best way to honor God is to serve others with joy.
The arrival of nine grandchildren brought new dimensions to Doc's happiness. 'Da' approached grandparenthood with the same enthusiasm he brought to everything else, creating special traditions, sharing his love of adventure, and ensuring that each grandchild knew they were uniquely precious and deeply loved.
Dr. Richard Edward Landry lived his 81 years with purpose, passion, faith, and an unwavering commitment to making the world a little brighter for everyone he encountered. He was a healer who understood that medicine is as much about hope as it is about science, a man of faith who lived his beliefs through action rather than words alone, and a devoted family man who created a legacy of love that will continue through generations.
His life reminds us that true success isn't measured in achievements alone, but in the lives we touch, the love we share, and the example we set. Doc did all of this with a smile that could light up a room, a laugh that was genuinely contagious, and a heart that seemed to have infinite capacity for caring.
Dr. Landry is survived by his devoted wife of 57 years, Gaye Revelle Landry. He is also survived by his three sisters: Sandy Moore and her husband Nolan, Marsha Chapman and her husband Ted, and Willie Mount; his four daughters: Laurel Carleton and her husband Mark, Wendy Lechtenberg and her husband Keith, Leslie Bradley and her husband Rex, and Kelly Ortiz and her husband Emilio; and his nine grandchildren: Camille and Richard Carleton, Madeline Stewart and her husband Vance, Abbie and Callie Lechtenberg; Bella, Julia, Anna, and Clara Bradley.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Lee and Willie Landry; his father-in-law, Elmer Revelle; his mother-in-law, Mable Revelle; and his brother-in-law, Ben Mount.
A celebration of Dr. Landry's life will be held at Trinity Baptist Church on Saturday, August 16, 2025. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., followed by the funeral service at 2 p.m. The service will be officiated by Dr. David Rose, Rev. Steve James, and Dr. David Hankins—a fitting tribute to a man whose life was enriched by deep spiritual friendships. Burial will follow at Highland Memory Gardens under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, and in keeping with Doc's lifelong commitment to healing and service, memorial donations may be made to Trinity Baptist Church's 'Medical Mission Fund'—ensuring that his legacy of bringing hope and healing to those in need will continue long into the future.
'Well done, good and faithful servant.' – Matthew 25:23