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Thomas Landry, United Methodist football coach, dies Feb. 12


From NewsDesk <NewsDesk@UMCOM.UMC.ORG>
Date 15 Feb 2000 15:10:15

Feb. 15, 2000 News media contact: Linda Green·(615)742-5470·Nashville, Tenn.
10-71B{071}

By United Methodist News Service

Thomas W.  Landry, a member of Highland Park United Methodist Church and
legendary coach of the Dallas Cowboys, died Feb. 12 at the age of 75.

A member of the Dallas church for 43 years, Landry died of complications
from a form of leukemia, which he had been fighting since May.   

Known as "the Man in the Hat," for the trademark fedora he always wore, he
coached the football team for 29 years, from its birth in 1960 to 1989. With
Landry at the helm, the Cowboys won 270 games, including two Super Bowl
titles. They had 20 consecutive winning seasons.

Landry was a "very faithful and committed member," said the Rev. Mark Craig,
senior pastor at Highland Park. "He was dedicated in both his attendance and
support of this church and its ministry. Tom was beloved and admired by this
congregation. We as a congregation grieve with the Landry family."

A noon funeral service for family and friends is scheduled for Feb. 17 at
the Highland Park church followed by a private burial. Former Cowboys
players and the city of Dallas will co-host a public tribute to Landry at 4
p.m. that day at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center.

Thomas Wade Landry was born Sept. 11, 1924, in Mission, Texas. After a
semester of college, he joined the Army Air Corps and spent two years as a
bomber pilot in World War II. He flew 30 combat missions and survived one
crash landing. His older brother, Robert, died flying a B-17. 
Landry is survived by Alicia Landry, his wife of 50 years; a son, Tom Landry
Jr.; and a daughter, Kitty Phillips. Another daughter, Lisa Childress, died
in 1995 after a four-year battle with liver cancer. 
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*************************************
United Methodist News Service
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