James “Jerry” Landye of Las Cruces, New Mexico passed away peacefully on March 15, 2024 in Las Cruces.

Jerry was born in Portland, Oregon to Ethel and James Landye on May 2, 1944. He graduated from Sunset High School in 1961. Attended Louisiana State University, graduated from Washington State University in 1968, and did graduate work at Arizona State University.

He had a prolific career with positions in the Coast Guard, as a Warrant Officer, as a fish biologist for Arizona Fish and Game, and New Mexico Fish and Wildlife Service. He started the Urban fish programs in Arizona, spent many weeks on the Colorado River, and managed various fish hatcheries in both Arizona and New Mexico.

His research work for the Smithsonian took him to three different continents researching freshwater mollusks. He was highly published and was recognized by other scientists as the foremost expert in this field.

In his retirement, his love for music led him to be heavily involved with and supportive of New Mexico State University’s Music Department and El Paso Pro-Musica (University of Texas-El Paso’s Department of Music). His generosity and support impacted many. He particularly loved violin and cello music. He said the string instruments brought him wonderful moments of peace.

He is preceded in death by his parents and survived by his sister, Donna Tewksbury (Sisters, Oregon) and his nephews, Graham Tewksbury (Beaverton, Oregon) and Thomas Tewksbury (San Francisco, California).

Memorial donations may be directed to New Mexico State University’s La Concha Music Scholarship and to El Paso Pro-Musica.

All are welcome to join a Celebration of Life and spreading of ashes at San Augustin Pass Overlook, at 11:00 am, May 4th, 2024.