Jerry Landess age 90, of Portland passed away Tuesday October 13, 2020 in Columbus Transitional Care in Columbus, Indiana. Born in Portland on February 24, 1930 he was the son of Elbon and May (Boxell) Landess. He was married on December 2, 1951 to Mary Rose Gelzleichter who survives. Jerry graduated from Portland High School in 1948 and served in the US Army. He drove truck for Marhoefer Packing Company for twenty seven years.

Jerry won the Golden Gloves in Muncie, Indiana in 1947 and 1948. He also fought on the US Army team. He fought for about eight years and was successful career with 124 wins in about 150 fights. Jerry also earned an Eagle Scout rank in the Boy Scouts.

Jerry's love of horses began as a young boy when he hung around the barns in the Jay County Fairgrounds and was hired to heat water for the 80 or so horses stabled there. In 1948 he drove his first horse, Butternut, in a race in Bourbon, Indiana. Jerry was hooked on harness racing and so began an outstanding career as a driver and trainer of Standardbred horses.

He started his own stable, Landess Racing Stables in 1950 proudly wearing the now familiar red, white and green silks. Jerry has become an icon of harness racing.

Jerry has won 1980 races and horses he's driven have won over 2 million dollars. Some of his accomplishments are Indiana Driver of the Year at least 20 times, Member of the Standardbred Board of Regulations for 19 years, Director of the Indiana Trotting and Pacing Association 14 years, Speed Superintendent for Jay County Fair for 13 years, First recipient of Indiana Horseman of the Year in 1975, Inducted into the Indiana Standardbred Hall of Fame in 1991, Elected director of the United States Trotting Association for 28 years, Received Sagamore of the Wabash in 1985 from Gov. Robert Orr a Republican, Received Sagamore of the Wabash in 1991 from Gov. Evan Bayh a Democrat and winner of Chamber of Commerce Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007. He was a member of American Legion Post #211 in Portland where he served as chaplain and Portland Moose Lodge.

Surviving are his wife of 61 years Mary, One son Gary Landess (companion Shirley) of Indianapolis, one daughter Lisa Reyes of Portland, one sister Martha Moyer (husband Jim) of Greensburg, Indiana, two grandchildren and three great grandchildren, several nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death are one son Jimmy Landess, brother Gene Landess and grandson Jerry Day.

Private family services will be held. Burial will be in the Green Park Cemetery in Portland. Baird-Freeman Funeral Home in Portland, Indiana are in charge of arrangements. Memorials can be made to the Jayland Trotting Association.

Online condolences at www.baird-freeman.com