Elmer Harrison Landis died Monday morning, January 1, 2007 at the age of 90 following a series of debilitating strokes and issues with Parkinson's. Elmer was born February 25th 1916, in Hanford, CA to William Henry Landis of Dayton, Ohio and Margret Ellen (Meadows) Landis of Hanford. He grew up on the C.M. Gifford & Sons Ranch near Murray, CA where his father was a ranch superintendent. With an outgoing personality Elmer made many friends and honed his appetite for competition and sportsmanship. In his time Elmer enjoyed track and field, weightlifting, softball, ping pong, eightball, ring toss, and horseshoe pitching. He was always there to help friends old and new – and if he ever failed the first try, he just wasn't holding his tongue right. At grammar school in Kettleman City his Aunt Gertie made him the designated rattlesnake killer. He attended Hanford High where he excelled at track and field and placed in the State meet. Shortly after graduating from Hanford High he met his sweetheart and wife, Bernita Huffman of nearby Armona. Following high school, Elmer worked in the oilfields near Coaling. Elmer also gained a reputation as one of the best horseshoe pitchers in California. He would get challengers from as far as Los Angeles who couldn't beat the Ringer of Kings County. In 1941, he and Bernita married in Reno. During World War II, Elmer enlisted in the Army as a mechanic serving at the same time as his brother, Captain Robert (Bob) Landis. Elmer was a Master Mechanic rising to the rank of Sergeant T-3 in the 3508th Ordnance Battalion which saw action as part of 1st Army, 3rd Army and 9th Army from Normandy, France to Berchtesgarden, Germany. Elmer came home a new dad to Gary who was born in 1945. His second son, Larry came along in 1947. Elmer took up a series of jobs as an oil field mechanic near Avenal to make sure his family would always be cared for. In 1955, the family moved to Bakersfield where Elmer carried on his competitive streak in horseshoes, when he was not working hard as an Operating Engineer for Union Local 12. He was a founding member of the Bakersfield Shoe-Crew, became a world champion, and won numerous state titles. He was inducted into the Southern California Horseshoe Pitching Hall of Fame. One of his proudest horseshoe moments was inventing the horseshoe hook, which he loved to give to his friends. Following retirement in 1991, Elmer was the epitome of an active senior citizen. He loved to dance at the Rasmussen Senior Center and the Fairfax Grange. He could be seen at local parks tending to the horseshoe pits or finding things with his metal detector. He was an avid swimmer, traveler, loved to read, dance, play music on his harmonica and write poetry. He'll be remembered as fun-loving, honest, hard-working and very industrious. Elmer is survived by his wife of over 65 years, Bernita; son Gary Landis and his wife Pam; son Larry Landis and his wife Susan; grandson Brian Landis and his wife Melissa and great-granddaughter Kari; grandson Griffin Landis and his wife Elaine and great-granddaughter Olivia; granddaughter Erin Landis all of Bakersfield; granddaughter Michelle Ville and great grandson Jacob, of St Paul, MN; Elmer's brother Robert "Bob" Landis of Hanford; nephew Bill and his and his wife Mary Ann of Hanford and their children and grandchildren; nephew Rick Landis and his wife Lee of Hanford and their children and grandchildren and numerous cousins and friends all of whom could expect a friendly handshake, kiss and an open door from Elmer. Elmer was a member of Eagles Lodge Airey 93 and American Legion Post 682. In keeping with Elmer's wishes, no funeral service will be held. Family and friends will be invited to a memorial celebration. Elmer expressed his appreciation to Evergreen Nursing Home before passing and prayed that he could rejoin his family someday in heaven.