Mr. Donald L. Langham

Donald Leon Langham, 82, passed away on October 2nd, 2016 at Chestnut Ridge Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center in Cumming, Georgia (GA) after a long, well-fought battle with illness. He was born on January 13th, 1934 in Atlanta, GA to Ray Norman Langham and Lillian Maebelle Hicks. Don grew up in Atlanta, GA. He graduated from Brown High School in Atlanta, GA in 1952. After high school, he completed basic training with the US Air Force 94th Tactical Recon. Wing on 22 March 1953 then entered military service where he served 7 years. During this time, as an Airman 3rd Class (A3C), he further developed his passion as a mechanic and worked on the most relevant military fighting aircraft of that time, the Corsair model. He was later discharged under honorable conditions on 31 July 1960 after marriage to the love of his life, Sandra Maureen Kelley. He began working for Hot Point, a refrigeration company. He then transitioned to another local company and began a 19 year career as a diesel engine mechanic with Greyhound Bus lines shop in Chamblee, GA. During this time, his workmates coined an affectionate nickname for him as “Schnauzer” (Sch-now-zer) based on his family’s interest in raising and showing standard-bred miniature German Schnauzer dogs at their home in Woodstock, GA. At one point, he took on a second job to pay significant medical bills from his own illness. After his separation from Greyhound, he began working for Northside Environmental Services as a small engine service and repair mechanic in Alpharetta, GA. He located a new job working for Pacesetter (Steel) World Headquarters in Kennesaw, GA and subsequently retired. During his career, Don worked many additional jobs to support and comfort his family on their small farm in Woodstock, GA. Don was known for his reserved, quiet and yet insightful wisdom, his pleasant demeanor to anyone, his deep passion for vegetable and fruit gardening to the benefit of his family and neighbors, his subdued mastery and knowledge of any internal combustion engine and a resolute work ethic to provide for his family. All of these are legacies which are consistently displayed by his family. Don married Sandra Maureen Kelley [Langham] on May 3rd, 1958 in Atlanta, GA. They were happily married for 58 years having raised two sons. Don was preceded in death by his father, Ray Norman Langham in 1945, at Don’s tender age of 9 years and his mother, Lillian, in 2001 and his elder sister, Dolores Constance (Langham) Guild in 2012. Don was very proud of his two sons and their known accomplishments. He is survived by his spouse, Sandra [Kelley] Langham of Woodstock, GA; his two sons, Lawrence (Larry and Janice) of Newnan, GA and Gregory (Gregg and Samantha) of Bethlehem, GA, and two grand-daughters, Lindsay Langham of Newnan and Savannah Langham of Bethlehem as well as his nephew, Mark Langham Guild of Bethesda, MD and his niece, Patricia Constance Guild of Washington, DC. Visitation is Tuesday Oct. 4th from 2-4pm at Northside Chapel Funeral Directors and Crematory in Roswell, GA. Funeral services will be held, Wednesday Oct.5th at 12:00 pm in the funeral home chapel. Following the services, an escorted procession will be provided to Greenwood Cemetery 1173 Cascade Circle SW Atlanta, GA 30311. There will be a small interment service at the burial site.

Mr. Donald L. Langham

January 13, 1934 - October 2, 2016