Dr. George Allen Langford

Born in Nashville, TN, on December 29, 1948, George lived a life defined by dedication, intellect, and a deep appreciation for both hard work and humor.

His greatest achievement was always his marriage to his adoring wife, Mary, whom he met as a teenager and married in 1969. A proud graduate of the University of Alabama, George earned his doctorate and went on to inspire countless students as a professor at the University of Northern Illinois, Huntingdon College, and Valdosta State University. He held himself to the highest standards and expected the same of others—not out of harshness, but out of a belief in people’s potential to rise to the occasion. His keen mind and strong work ethic left a lasting impact on all who had the privilege of learning from him.

Beyond academia, George had a lifelong love of sports as a baseball player, and later, as a coach of baseball, football, basketball, and softball. He also had an enduring passion for music. As a teenager in the 1960s, he played bass guitar in bands inspired by the “British Invasion” of the Rolling Stones and The Beatles, and in his retirement, he returned to music with the same enthusiasm, proving that passion never fades with age. His family and friends will always remember the joy he found in everyday life and the way he embraced imagination and silliness, whether it was playing “Rambo Barbie” or the many trips to Disney with his kids (while acting like one, too), and playfully sending his kids to sit “far, far, far away” when they were overly hyper and totally embarrassing.

Above all else, George was a devoted son, husband, father, and brother. He was preceded in death by his father, Colon Langford, and his beloved mother, Katie J. Langford. He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Mary; his son, Brant; his daughter, Ryndell; and his brothers, Walter and Clayton. His legacy lives on in his family, the lives he touched, the knowledge he shared, and the joy he brought to those around him.

A memorial service for George will be held Sunday, March 9, 2025 at 4:00 PM at H.M. Patterson & Son-Oglethorpe Hill, 4550 Peachtree Road Ne, Atlanta, GA 30319. Following the memorial service will be a reception from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM at H.M. Patterson & Son Oglethorpe Hill, 4550 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30319.