Toledo Speedway

Charles Joseph "C.J." Landry, a sports writer for The Blade who wrote about local automobile racing, died Wednesday in St. Charles Mercy Medical Center. He was 62.

Mr. Landry of Pemberville, Ohio, had multiple sclerosis for nearly two decades, said his brother, Hank Landry, who was unsure of the exact cause of death.

Mr. Landry started writing racing columns for The Blade in 1998, focusing on community-oriented tracks in northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan. He covered the ARCA series and races at Toledo Speedway, Norwalk Raceway Park, and Attica Raceway Park east of Tiffin, among others.

Don Radebaugh, public relations director for ARCA, said it was obvious that Mr. Landry was an avid racing fan. "He had a genuine interest in what we do," he said. "I think that showed in his words." Hank Landry said there was a small racetrack a couple of miles from the family home in Valley Park, Mo.

Mr. Landry and his brother used to walk to the track and watch the races on Sunday nights.

"He understood cars [and] he talked to the drivers. It was always kind of his passion," Hank Landry said.

Frank Corsoe, sports editor of The Blade since 2005, said Mr. Landry was a determined man. Mr. Landry, who used a wheelchair, was always willing to help and did so with a positive attitude.

"He knew his stuff. He knew what he was talking about," Mr. Corsoe said. "He enjoyed every minute of life even though he had a debilitating disease."

After Mr. Landry stopped writing columns for The Blade in 2005, he continued to compile racing results for the newspaper, Mr. Corsoe said.

Dennis Bova, an assistant news editor at The Blade, said he and Mr. Landry went to a race in Norwalk together about 10 years ago.

"He really had a passion for [racing]," Mr. Bova said. Mr. Radebaugh said like many race fans, the interest begins at a young age. "It gets in your bones, it gets in your blood, and you develop an interest and a passion for it."

Mr. Landry was born Sept. 22, 1946, in Valley Park. He graduated from Central Missouri State University in 1970 with a bachelor's degree in education. He taught history at two high schools in Missouri and another in Illinois before moving to Sunbury, Pa., where he wrote for the Daily Item. He moved to Toledo about 10 years ago, his brother said.

In addition to racing, Hank Landry said his brother also enjoyed music and being around people. Surviving are his brother, Hank Landry, and sister, Frances Michaelree.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. The Maison-Dardenne-Walker Funeral Home, Maumee, is handling arrangements.

The family suggests tributes to the Northwestern Ohio Chapter of the National MS Society.

*Reprinted with permission from the Toledo Blade.