Jack Landis, 85, of Lower Burrell died Thursday in the Lund Center at Concordia in Cabot.

He was born in Arnold on Dec. 14, 1921, the son of Daniel R. and Emma F. Boalo Landis.

He had lived in the Lower Burrell area since 1952 and previously lived in the Tarentum and Natrona Heights.

Mr. Landis was employed in the development of racing engines for Gulf Research and Development in Harmar and was the head mechanic of the Gulf Racing Team, becoming a devoted fan of auto racing for the rest of his life. He retired from Gulf in 1984 after 43 years.

He was an Army veteran of World War II.

He was a member of the Arnold Methodist Church. He had a great interest in automobiles and was a football fan, especially of the Steelers, and had played football for Arnold High School.

His favorite activity was building construction, having built his own house and those of his children.

He is survived by two sons, David G. (Carol) Landis of Butler and Steven D. (Mary Ann) Landis of Lower Burrell; a daughter, Jill E. (Keith) Kunkle of New Kensington; and a grandson, Christopher (Gretchen)Landis of Climax, Mich.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Juanita F. "Nina"Wolfe Landis; a brother, Robert Landis; and a sister, Margaret Koessler.

<B>LANDIS</B> — Friends of Jack Landis, who died Thursday, Nov. 29, 2007, will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday and 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the <B>Rusiewicz Funeral Home</B>, 3124 Leechburg Road at Alder Street, where funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Monday with the Rev. Philip Beck officiating. Burial with military honors by the Vandergrift Joint Veterans will follow in Greenwood Mausoleum, Lower Burrell.