The new Grant County Performing Arts Center is being named in honor of Petersburg natives Larry and Joyce Alexander Landes, thanks to a major donation from their son, Brett Landes. Brett, president and founder of Landes Investments, Inc. in Dallas, TX., first learned about the arts center from his mother, who told him the project was still looking for donations. Brett called the arts center’s fund-raising manager, Phyllis Cole, and asked, “What would it take to name the building after my parents?”
He did what it took, donating $250,000.
“I couldn’t think of a better way to pay tribute to my parents ... and in their home town,” said Brett.
Larry was born in Petersburg to Catherine Ashenfelter Landes and was raised by his grandparents, Robert (Bob) and Margaret E. Ashenfelter.
He lettered in basketball, football and baseball at Petersburg High School, and was captain of each sport. Named “King of the 1952 Petro Schola” and “most popular senior,” Larry graduated from PHS in 1952.
Joyce was born in Petersburg to Robert and Verda Smith Alexander. She lived on Water Street, across from the old electric power company at the time.
Her grandparents, Austin and Augusta Lyon Smith, also lived in Petersburg. Austin was well known throughout Grant County for his expertise as a blacksmith.
Also a PHS graduate, Joyce was named “Queen of the 1953 Petro Schola.” She married Larry that same year.
During an interview, last week, with the Grant County Press and WELD Radio, Brett had nothing but compliments to give about his parents and the childhood they gave him.
Joyce, who was also part of the interview, told her son how much the dedication meant to her.
“You’re welcome, you deserve it,” replied Brett. “I would relive my childhood again.”
Joyce graduated from West Virginia State College in 1972 with a B.S. degree in Education. She then began teaching at a Christian school in Wythville, Va., and went on to teach in Huntington, W.Va., Roanoke, Va., Fredericksburg, Va. and Hurt, Va.
While living in Huntington, Joyce began working on her Master’s Degree. She completed it in 1979 at Radford University.
Larry began having heart problems and had by-pass surgery in 1980.
In 1992, he had a heart attack that was so damaging, his only choice was a heart transplant, which he received in 1994.
When Larry retired in 1992, he was working as superintendent for the English Construction Company. Joyce retired from teaching, as the administrator of a Christian school.
The couple moved to Texas in 1995. Before Larry’s death in 2006, he and Joyce played golf all over the United States and traveled to Europe three times, checking off items on their “things to do” list.
Brett sponsors various charities, such as Cattle Barons, St. Paul Medical and Little Heroes.
Larry and Joyce had three other children: Greg, Matthew and Ayn.
Greg, who had down syndrome, lived to be 46 years old. Matthew is also a business man in Dallas and has two kids. Ayn has had a long career as office manager and personal secretary to the president of a company in Atlanta, Ga., and has two children.
Brett and his family are planning to attend the Sept. 13 dedication of the Larry and Joyce Alexander Landes Performing Arts Center.