Thomas Jay "TJ" Lange

Thomas Jay “T. J.” Lange, 66, passed away November 12 at Metroplex Hospital. A visitation for Mr. Lange is scheduled for Friday, November 18, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home. Services for Mr. Lange are scheduled for Saturday, November 19, at 10:00 am at Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home with military honors to be rendered on Fort Hood.

T. J. was born December 6, 1944 in Montgomery, Alabama to Donald Lewis and Hollis Lorena (Willmore) Lange. He attended Lincoln High School in Vincennes, Indiana and entered the military on (August 20, 1965). He spent 24 years in the U. S. Army, acquiring the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 4 before retiring in (August 31, 1995). During his service in the Army, he received the Bronze Star Medal (2nd award), the Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal (3rd Award), Air Medal (20th Award), Army Commendation Medal (6th Award), Army Achievement Medal (2nd Award), Army Superior Unit Award, Army Good Conduct Medal (3rd Award), Vietnam Service Medal (4th Award). While in the Army, he was not only a pilot, but was a master chef and was the Captain of the U. S. Army Culinary Arts Team which won many awards. Upon retiring from the Army, Mr. Lange moved to Alaska where he was a boat captain and avid fisherman, as well as a pilot.

Mr. Lange is preceded in death by his parents.

Survivors include a son, Jaysen (wife Jennifer), two brothers, David (wife Saundra) of Homestead Florida and Steven (wife Mary Alice) of St. Petersburg Florida, two grandsons, Jacob and Dillon Lange, and four nephews, Bradley Lange, Donny Lange, Chris Lange, and Christopher Hounchell, and one niece Melissa Potlock.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested all donations be made to the Children’s Miracle Network.

Arrangements for Mr. Lange are under the direction of Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home, Killeen.

You may express your condolences to the family at www.crawfordbowersfuneralhome.com.