Services are pending at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Van Meter for Gerald (Jerry) Charles Landals Jr., 82, of Perry, who died May 3, 2026, after a brief battle with cancer.
Jerry born July 23, 1943, to Gerald Sr. and Mary Salocker Landals.
He attended Perry High School and enlisted in the U.S. Army when he was just 17. While in the military, he was stationed in Germany.
After returning home, Jerry lived in California for about a year before returning to the Perry area, where he would live for the rest of his life.
He worked in the grocery business, did construction and spent several years working at what is now known as the Woodward Resource Center before retiring.
Having previously been married twice, Jerry found the third time to be a charm with Patricia Cavner. Together for many years before they married in May 1988, they remained together until her death in September 2017.
Jerry enjoyed monthly meals with former Woodward coworkers, who lovingly refer to themselves as “rent-a-friends,” trips to the casino, morning coffee at his brother’s home, spending weekends with Carin and his staple breakfast at Lou’s Diner of two eggs over easy, crispy bacon, crispy hashbrowns, white toast, black coffee and a shot of whiskey (that obviously never came).
He recently found a love of camping and enjoyed spending that time with family and friends. He had hoped to get out at least one more time this summer, but cancer is an unforgiving beast and had other plans for him.
Left to cherish his memory are his daughter, Carin (Andy) Bassett, and their children, Mallory (Zach) Percival, Dustin (Maddie) Lillie, Rylee Bassett, Madison (Jesus) Lopez, Keny Bassett and Andrew (Dolores Romero-Aldana) Bassett; his granddaughter, Danielle (Kyle Van Wyk) Landals, and grandsons, Gerald Landals IV, Noah Landals and Tyler Landals; his great-grandchildren, Roman and Posie Lopez, Saige, Chase, Blake and Hayes Percival and Sylas Bassett; his step-daughter, Jodi (Jerry) Landry, and their children; his brother, Ronnie (Sherry) Landals, and sisters, Patty Burns and Sharon (Danny ) Harney; close family friend, Darin Tasler, who was like a son to him; Pat’s children, Jason Reiter, Tammy Benge and Stephanie Goff, and their children and grandchildren; son, Gerald Landals III; as well as many nieces; nephews; and friends.
Welcoming him home are his wife, Pat; his parents, Gerald and Mary; and sisters, Pam Brooks and Shirley Glass.
His daughter Carin would like to extend a sincere thank you to all the staff at the Veteran’s Hospital in Des Moines for the wonderful care Jerry received while staying there the last couple of months. He was treated with such care and compassion and always seen as a person, not just a patient. They provided an invaluable service to both Jerry and Carin, and she is eternally grateful.