Thomas Langley was born May 31, 1937 in Bozeman, Montana to Homer and Bernice Langley and grew up in Livingston, Montana and passed away on Saturday, June 18, 2022 at his home in Gresham surrounded by his family's love and support. He was 85 years old.
While earning his Eagle Scout and Order of the Arrow awards he learned to fly a plane and even bought one at age 19. He set up service departments for Montgomery Wards in Colorado and Wyoming before moving to Oregon in 1964. He installed walk in coolers and freezers for over 30 years all over the United States-seven of those years with Joan helping. Thomas volunteered for YWAM (Youth with a mission) in Hawaii, New Zealand, Barbados, and around the US. He lived in an RV for 12 years volunteering for Oregon State Parks. He sawed 500 birdhouse kits so kids at State Parks could build their own. He led groups to the Holy Land, Greece, Turkey and many more countries.
Thomas was dad to daughters, Cynthia Corbridge and Lisa Barrow; and son, Brian Langley who died 16 years ago. He also had 10 grandkids and 11 foster kids.
His favorite thing was being Santa to kids who followed him over 25 years from downtown Macy’s to Pioneer Courthouse Square where he had a Santa House to Cedar Crossing to University of Portland. He would also make home visits. Known as the “Praying Santa” and saw miracles with adults who would visit him: including a woman who wanted to adopt a child was actually able to take in 2 sisters over 2 years. He also met a girl that had a hole in her heart, which was eventually healed, and as a teenager she reached out to him to say she was doing well. He was there for two women fighting depression and a young homeless man that needed a hug.
Memorials to Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome for Dalton’s seizure disorder or to the First Baptist Church.
Thomas Aaron LANGLEY, age 85, of Gresham, Oregon Thomas was bor.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.batemancarrollfunerals.com for the LANGLEY family.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.17