J. Landon Reeve IV, landscape industry leader and founder of Chapel Valley Landscape Company, died on May 25 at the age of 79.

Chapel Valley, based in Woodbine, Md., is a mainstay on the LM150 list of largest landscape companies, where it ranked No. 43 in 2019.

A statement on Chapel Valley’s Facebook page read:

“It is with great sadness that we share that our founder, J. Landon Reeve IV, passed away this past Monday, May 25. After extensive studies in ornamental horticulture, Landon graduated from the University of Maryland in 1963. Alongside his wife, Janet Wheeler Reeve, Landon founded Chapel Valley Landscape Company in 1968. At its start, Landon and Janet were the only two employees and built a company that now employs over 450 team members and operates out of 7 locations in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast. During an interview in 2002, about his early goals for the company, Landon stated, ‘One of my primary goals in life is to develop a company with a good reputation that could continue beyond myself.’

Landon’s passion around the landscape industry never waned as his desire was to not only to build Chapel Valley but also to help and inspire others who were starting careers. He served as president for the LCA, ALCA (now NALP) and the Maryland Nurseryman’s Association during his career and helped all 3 organizations with outreach, training and legislative affairs. Even in retirement, Landon stayed active with the American Horticultural Society and Friends of the National Arboretum.

Landon was a pioneer in the landscape industry will be sorely missed by his family, his Chapel Valley family and all of those who he interacted throughout his life. Due to current events, a memorial will be scheduled for the spring of 2021. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the American Horticulture Society or the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation in Landon’s name.”