Alphonse John Lorang

Alphonse J. “Al” or “Preacher” Lorang had a great life, which began on a farm in Minnesota on January 2, 1923 and ended in San Diego, CA on September 23, 2018. He was ready, and is now reunited with his wife LeWayne.

Al was one of 11 children of John and Margaret (Gengler) Lorang of Lismore, MN. He was the only sibling to leave the Midwest, so he was “the California uncle” of a large clan. He was last man standing of the beloved aunts and uncles.

WWII and the US Navy prompted Al to enlist and leave home as a teenager. He served in the Pacific Theater during WWII, coming home on leave to marry his childhood friend (and wartime Army nurse penpal) from Lismore, LeWayne Jansen. Off they went together to California and Texas, where they had five children. Al also served in the Korean and Vietnam conflicts as an aviation maintenance officer. A “mustang” who worked his way up from the enlisted ranks to Lieutenant Commander, he was often at sea on aircraft carriers. He saw the world and was justifiably proud of his 30 years of service. The family, settled in San Diego, played hard between and after deployments.

Family time included lots of swim meets, piano recitals, scouting activities, water ski sessions, sailing lessons, snow ski trips, and camping and driving expeditions. Summer trips to spend time on the farm and with the Lorang and Jansen families were a highlight.

Al used the GI bill to earn two Associate of Arts degrees in QA/QC and management, which served him well during his twenty-year civilian career in Naval Air Rework, continuing his lifetime of service to his country.

“Me Time” for Al usually involved a tool. He could fix or build anything, from a Heath Kit organ to furniture to a room addition. No car died on Al’s watch!

His legacies are reflected in his 5 kids, 11 grandkids and 5 great-grandkids. His common sense, work ethic, mechanical, and other, expertise – and even his comforting wry smile – have shown up in three generations.

Al had a lot to be proud of, but nothing gave him more purpose, joy and contentment than his 70-year marriage to LeWayne (“Lee”). After the hard work and sacrifice of raising, educating and launching five kids, the couple enjoyed retirement travel and time with friends. They were part of a motorhome group, a pinochle club, and military retiree organizations. They travelled internationally into their 90’s. They hosted and joined countless family gatherings and enjoyed all the grandkids’ games and performances. Fourteen months elapsed between her death and his, and that was probably his most difficult deployment. His eternal shore leave will be spent with his true love.

Memorial services with honors will be held at Miramar National Cemetery on October 15th at 10 AM. A reception will follow at his daughter’s home, 6112 Syracuse Ln in San Diego. All are welcome. If you wish to make a memorial gift, children’s charities are appropriate.