Lemuel "Buddy" Thomas Landen, III

Lemuel Thomas Landen, III

May 15, 1952 – May 26, 2025

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Lemuel Thomas Landen III, better known as “Buddy,” at the young age of 73 on May 26, 2025, at Carteret Health Care Hospital. Buddy fought a courageous battle with cancer and was surrounded by those that he loved as he moved onto his next chapter.

Born in Wadesboro, North Carolina, to the proud parents of Lemuel Thomas Landen, Jr. (“Tommy”) and Nancy Ingram Landen (“Nan”), Buddy served as many things throughout his full life, the more important and dutiful roles as son, brother, husband, father, grandaddy, uncle, cousin, and friend.

His surviving fan base includes more people than can possibly be named but those immediately connected include his loving wife [Read Duer Landen], his four devoted children [Lianna Cuthrell (Chevis), John Landen, Thomas Landen (Hillary), and Marjorie Landen (Sean)], and a crew of beautiful grandchildren [Carter and Avery Cuthrell, Addie Landen, Saylor Landen, Charlotte Morris and Sawyer Prendergast]. His surviving sisters [Nanky Getsinger and Mary Lillian Landen] were faithful to their only brother and will forever miss his endless conversations and politically charged humor.

Beyond his professional life as a surgical consultant, Buddy had a number of hobbies and was an avid fisherman, woodworker, landscaper, weatherman, FOX News fanatic and Weimaraner enthusiast. While he had a documented degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, he made it no secret that he had an honorary degree in EVERYTHING. Maybe one day, his children will find that stashed away somewhere but until then, we will take his word for it.

Buddy was preceded in death by his parents and his niece, Merideth Getsinger, and other cherished family members that received him after his children let go of his hand. We sure hope they are prepared and ready for the Buddy they have not seen in quite some time!

A graveside service is scheduled for June 21, 2025, at 11am at Savannah United Methodist Church in Lilesville, North Carolina, to lay his ashes to rest next to his parents. As we walk away from his grave, our parting words are “I love you” and true to form, his response is “as you should and I love you too.”

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to The V Foundation for Cancer Research or the 4-H Youth Development Program in honor of Buddy and his journey.

https://www.v.org 

https://4-h.org/

The arrangements are in care of Leavitt Funeral Home and online condolences may be made at www.leavittfh.com