Elbert Lang Jr's Obituary
Elbert Lang Jr, eldest son of the late Elbert and Katie Lang, was born on April 5, 1931 in Terrell, Texas. Elbert was called to his heavenly home on January 13, 2021.
He graduated from Burnett High School in Terrell, Texas. Later, he enlisted in the United States Army and served in the Korean and Vietnam Wars. He was honorably discharged in 1969.
While on active duty in Colorado, he met and married the love of his life, Ethel Yvonne Lee. At first, she did not like the handsome MP. But as time went on they became friends. They were happily married for fifty-seven years, until her passing in 2017.
Elbert and Yvonne moved to Washington State where he retired from the military to raise Sharon, Kevin, Marilyn, Venita and Tony. He secured a position as service technician for General Electric. He was nicknamed “Ed” because his colleagues thought “Elbert,” was too long to fit on his name tag.
Elbert, “Dad” to his children, grand and great-grandchildren, demonstrated that love is an action word. From birthday gifts, loaning out the truck, venturing across the country to attend high school graduations, or supporting his family at Deliverance Bible Church, he was always there for his family and friends. Many lifelong friendships began at St. John Baptist Church, where he served as a member of the finance committee and the Senior Usher Board.
He enjoyed a variety of sports from boxing to football. Elbert would root for both Dallas and Seattle in a head-to-head competition because, “…either way, MY team wins!” Vacations with Yvonne were also a win for him. He cherished his time with her on their yearly, sometimes biannual cruises. Once, they returned from a week-long Caribbean cruise, got off that ship, and then boarded another vessel for another week plus cruise! His favorite destination was, “Wherever the ship is headed!”
Elbert lived a beautiful, fulfilled life. He relished in the time he and Yvonne spent drinking coffee and playing pinochle into the wee hours of the morning or just sitting around with her reminiscing about the past; particularly the pride as a parent “since the children turned out alright!”
Elbert was predeceased by his brothers: Roosevelt, Clarence, Charles Ray, Bobby Gene, Jimmie Lee, Herman, and James Henry. He leaves to cherish his precious memory his children: Sharon May (Sam), Kevin Lee (Yvonne), Marilyn Peterson (Maurice), Venita Lang, and Kenneth “Tony” Lang (Amy); grandchildren: Tammi Dove, Sam May, Sheridan May, Amanda Whatley (Marvin), Alexis Reynolds (Dennis), Derrick Peterson and Emilio Garcia; great grandchildren: D’Andre Dove, Demetrius Dove, Logan Peterson, David Reynolds, Damian Reynolds, Dominic Reynolds, Isaiah May, Isabel May, and Quincy May; siblings: Katie Lang, Ben Lang and Linda Jefferson in Texas; and a host of other relatives and friends.
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