Richard Joseph Landolt Jr.
July 5, 1954 – December 23, 2025
With deep love and gratitude for a life well lived, we remember Richard Joseph Landolt Jr., age 71, who passed away on December 23, 2025.
Richard was born on July 5, 1954, at Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida to Richard J. Landolt Sr. and Masako Sakurada Landolt. As the oldest son in an Air Force family, his childhood was shaped by extraordinary experiences living abroad in Japan and Taiwan, and later in North Dakota. These early years of travel and cultural immersion profoundly influenced Richard's character—nurturing his adventurous spirit, curiosity, athleticism, optimism, and his remarkable ability to connect with people from all walks of life.
Richard dedicated his life to education, service, and redemption. A graduate of Armstrong State University in Savannah, he went on to earn his Specialist in Education Administration, which led him to what he often described as the most rewarding chapter of his professional life—serving as Principal of Crossroads/ACE Academy. He fervently believed in the power of recovery, second chances, and hope, working tirelessly not only with students, but also with their families and, often, his staff. Compassion and integrity guided his leadership in every school he served.
During his tenure with the Cherokee County School District, Richard taught history and science at Teasley Middle School, served as Assistant Principal at E.T. Booth Middle School, and later as Principal at Woodstock Middle School, Polaris Night School, and finally Crossroads/ACE Academy, where he retired in 2022. His impact on education—and on lives—will be felt for generations.
Richard's faith and community involvement were central to who he was. He was an avid member and past president of the Cherokee Chorale, a devoted participant in Walk to Emmaus and Chrysalis ministries, and a tireless supporter of outreach programs at Canton First Methodist Church. His life reflected a deep commitment to serving others, and the countless people he influenced—young and old—stand as living testimony to that legacy.
Outside of work and ministry, Richard embraced life fully. He found great joy in fishing, singing, officiating students' sports games, watching his beloved Georgia Bulldogs (GO DAWGS!), and riding motorcycles cross-country with his brother and closest friends. Yet, nothing brought him more happiness than time with his family, especially cheering on and cherishing moments with his grandchildren, whom he adored.
Richard is survived by his fiancée, Katherine Freund; his children, Richard "Trey" Landolt III, Katherine Proctor (Thad), and James "Jim" Strack; his siblings, Kathryn Owen (Rick), Craig Landolt (Cindy), and James Landolt (Filly); along with numerous relatives and loved ones.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Lecia Lanford Landolt; his father, Richard J. Landolt Sr.; and his mother, Masako Sakurada Landolt.
Richard will be remembered for his unwavering dedication to education, his strong faith, his generous heart, and his kind, gentle, and humble spirit. Easy to talk with and a joy to be around, he embraced his cherished role as "Papa" with pride and tenderness. Throughout his life, he made the world better simply by being in it. We are all better for having loved—and been loved by—Richard Joseph Landolt Jr.
"Don't be sad it's over. Be happy it happened."
—Theodore Geisel (Dr. Seuss)
Funeral Services will be held at 11:00AM Saturday January 10, 2026 in the Canton First Methodist Church with Dr. Kenny Ott, Reverend C.R. Hill and Reverend Tommy Weldy will officiate. Visitation hours will be Thursday January 8th and Friday 9th from 3:00PM until 8:00PM.
In lieu of flowers please make donations to Cherokee Chorale P.O. Box 965, Canton, GA 30169 614-302-0160 and or
https://ngwte.org/donate-pay-online/ North Georgia Walk To Emmaus Community and northgachrysalis.org the North Georgia Chrysalis Community. https://app.software4nonprofits.com/campaign/toCtmx/richard-landolt-memorial