David Michael Landry

David Michael Landry, the kindest man with the sweetest laugh, gentle and humble, who loved his Lord and his family with his entire being, went to be with his Lord on Tuesday morning, June 16, 2026. He passed away peacefully at his residence with his wife, Vivian, and his daughter, Heather, by his side. David was 80 years old.

David married the love of his life, Vivian, in 1999. They lived in Baton Rouge before moving to Gonzales, Louisiana, in 2002. A native of Lafayette, Louisiana, David was a member of First Baptist Church Gonzales for 24 years.

During the Vietnam War era, David proudly served his country stateside in the United States Army Reserves from 1967 to 1973. He was honorably discharged and remained deeply proud of his military service throughout his life.

Over a 50-year career in electrical and mechanical design, David worked alongside architects and engineers to build and renovate churches, hospitals, schools, telephone substations, and restaurants throughout Louisiana and other states. He opened his own consulting firm in 2004. After Hurricane Katrina, he generously and freely offered his design skills to help churches and restaurants obtain the permits needed to reopen.

David was an extraordinary fisherman and a longtime member of the Lafayette Bass Fishing Club, where he won numerous tournaments. He especially loved fishing in the pond in the country, and one year landed a birthday bass weighing over eight pounds. David passed his love of fishing on to his grandchildren, who all knew him as “Papa.” As it became harder for him to stand and fish, his dear friend Delbert Cutrer and his son kindly built him a stand to lean on so he could keep casting a line.

David was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Annie Bower Landry of Lafayette, Louisiana, and by his beloved grandson, Hudson.

He is survived by the love of his life, Vivian, of Gonzales, Louisiana; his children, Tracy Landry of Lafayette, Stephanie Bennett and her husband, Robert, of Lafayette, and Heather Civello and her husband, George, of Prairieville; his grandchildren, Patrick Williams of Gonzales, Nico Civello of Prairieville, Ruston Bennett of Geneva, New York, and Adler Bennett of Ruston; his sister, Patricia Ortego and her husband, John, of Hattiesburg, Mississippi; his nephews, Chris Ortego and family of Hattiesburg, and Nick Ortego and family of Orlando, Florida; and his brother-in-law, Wayne Hughes, of Amite, Louisiana.

A visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., followed by a service from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., on Thursday, July 2, 2026, at First Baptist Church Gonzales. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home, Monroe LA, https://my.simplegive.com/App/Form/af21da29-d17d-4fa8-8f7b-9b084269f916 or to First Baptist Church Gonzales, https://onrealm.org/FirstBaptistChu97199/-/form/give/now

The family extends a special thank you to caregivers Donna Thrasher, Debbie Ramirez, and Paulette Steely, along with the other caregivers who lovingly cared for David over the last five years of his life. The family is also deeply grateful to Notre Dame Hospice of Baton Rouge for the compassionate care given to him in his final days.

David lived a life marked by deep faith, boundless love and quiet strength. He was one of a kind. He will be deeply missed and forever loved by all who had the privilege of knowing him.