Obituary of Landon R. Hairston

LANDON RAY HAIRSTON At age 51, Landon Ray Hairston of West Henrietta, New York went to be with his Lord on Tuesday, August 31, 2021. He was born in Elmira, New York and is survived by his parents: Father: Don (Jhawnee) Hairston of Tampa, Fl, sisters, Lenneya Bryan and LaTonya Arrington; brother, Gerard Corey Hairston of Orlando, Fl, and his sister, Janiece Gilreath, she and Landon and Corey all grew up in early days; uncle, Jeffrey D. Thornton of Albany, NY; 3 close cousins from Winston Salem, Karen Y. Williams, Sharon Thomas and Reginald Thomas; in addition to Iris Roseboro of Washington, DC, and Marion Thomas of Winston Salem. Predeceased are paternal grandmother, Dr. Earlene Thornton, paternal grandfathers, Lee Hairston and Henry J. Thornton, and paternal uncle, James Thornton. Mother: Linda Watson of Rochester, NY, uncles and aunts: Barbara Watson, Kathy (Dale) McArthur of Elmira, NY, Audrey (Dave) Rogers of Orlando, Fl, Valerie (Alvin) White, Danny (Phyllis) Watson and David Watson of Elmira, NY; Craig Watson of Jonesboro, GA, and Mark (Peggy) Watson of Elmira, NY. He is also survived by many cousins, in particular, Charise Watson and Tracy Dorns of Rochester, New York. All three grew up together, were born in the same year, and eventually ended up living in the same city. Predeceased are Judi Watson of Rochester, NY, Brett Watson of Elmira, NY, and both grandparents Raymond & Anna (Smith) Watson of Elmira, New York. Landon attended the Joseph C. Wilson Magnet High School of Science and Technology, where he received several academic honors. After high school, he attended Monroe Community College and received an Associate Degree in General Studies. Later on, he joined the United States Army (Military Intelligence); received training recognition (National Defense Service Medal - Marksmanship Badge Rifle - Expert Hand Grenade Badge) and an Honorable Discharge. We are thankful for all the special moments that Landon has left us and know that he will continue to live on within our hearts and minds. Family and friends are invited to his Memorial Service on Friday, September 17th at 9:30 at Walter J. Kent Funeral Home, 858 Lake St. at Washington Ave., Elmira. Rev. Corey Cooke will officiate. Committal service, with military honors, will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery. Donations and contributions can be made in Landon's name through the Donate to Mental Health America website at: mhanational.org/donate-mental-health-america