LANDON ALFORD

The following bio was taken from page 91 of the book entitled "Rusk County History" compiled and edited and used with permission of the Rusk County Historical Commission.

Transcribed by Shirley Koym

Submitted by Gloria Briley Mayfield, Rusk County TX Coordinator

Landon Alford is the youngest son of John R. and Susan Landon Alford. He, too, followed the Alford tradition of being educated in the Henderson school system. Landon attended S. M. U. in Dallas where he received a B. B. A. degree. He joined the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity.

At S. M. U. he met Phyllis Potthast of San Antonio who received her B. A. degree in elementary education. She is a Zeta Tau Alpha.

Phyllis and Landon married soon after graduation and returned to Henderson to make their home. Landon became the managing partner of Alford Investments, and they began to rear their children: Eugene, who is a graduating senior (1982) at Texas A & M and is planning a medical career; Benson (Ben) Warren who graduated from Henderson High School in 1982 and has plans to attend S. M. U.; and David who finished the seventh grade in 1982.

Landon’s work with Alford investments includes oil and gas and cattle raising. He is president of John R. and Susan Alford Foundation which is designed primarily to aid the people of Rusk County. Landon is past chairman of the board of Henderson Memorial Hospital and still serves on the board. He is secretary-treasurer of the board of Henderson Clay Products and a member of the board of First Methodist Church. One of his main positions today is the chairmanship of the Texas Good Roads Association. He has been president of the Rusk County Chamber of Commerce and now serves as chairman of the Transportation Committee of the Chamber. He is the past president of the Kiwanis Noon Club and is a member of the Board of the Citizens National Bank.

Phyllis, Landon’s wife, in addition to being wife and mother is active in many community affairs. She is an Associate on the Board of Visitors of M. D. Anderson Hospital in Houston, past president of the Varied Arts Club, and past president of the Renaissance Club of Henderson. She has also been in the Woman’s Forum throughout her life in Henderson.

Landon and Phyllis are continuing the Alford family tradition and they see the need for leadership in Rusk County by the Alford family members. They support the heritage of the family as they recognize their place as a fourth generation of Rusk County Alfords.

Submitted by Virginia Knapp