Sammy Lee Lang

He was a graduate of Booker T Washington High School in 1957. He entered Prairie View A&M College September 1957.

He enlisted in the United States Air Force in March 1959. During his military career, he received many awards and retired with the rank of Senior Master Sargent.

He accepted the position of Material Control Manager with Boeing's Peace Sentinel Program June 1985 in Saudi Arabia until August 1994.

He returned to the United States and settled in Tucson, Arizona where he worked for Pima County in the Sheriff’s Department until he retired in November 1997.

He married Marilyn Richmond on December 31, 2013 and moved to Henderson, Nevada. A strong Christian, he was a faithful member of the Hope Church in Las Vegas and enjoyed the friendships he shared with the caring and supportive members of their Bible study group.

He loved to read all kinds of books, work crossword puzzles; but only the ones in the Review Journal Newspaper! He enjoyed playing solitaire on his iPad, was an avid sports fan and loved to watch old cowboy shows and movies.

His parents, William and Berdell Lang; brother William Lang Jr.; and his sister Belva Bradley, predeceased him.

He is survived by his wife Marilyn; daughter Yvette Lang; son Sean Lang; brother James Lang; sisters Dorothy Jean Baker, Shirley Williams (Lonnie), Linda Sullivan (William), Francine Champagne, Sharon Madison and Carolyn Rojas-Epps (Michael); and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

A Tribute to My Brother from Your Sister, Francine Champagne

My Dearest Brother!! You will be truly missed; I don't even know what to say. First, I will say that I thank God you are no longer in pain and suffering. You told me that Sunday some weeks back that a body gets tired and you were ready to go and had everything in order! That was the Sunday Sister was out grocery shopping and I talked to her also. She told me that was your

Job! And she was concentrating and to call you and we had a good conversation. I want to thank you because many years ago when I was sick you came to South Carolina to check on me and I was so grateful. Your life has been a blessed one and I'm glad you had Sister to share

it with. I could go on but I know you are rejoicing with Madear and Daddy!! The Lang Siblings will truly miss you because we all had a special relationship with you!! God speed my Brother until we meet again!!

Granny Fanny!!

A Tribute to My Brother, Mr. Sammy Lang by Carolyn Rojas-Epps

Daddy would say, you were the First of the Mohicans and I was the last of the Mohicans. You were one of the best big brothers in the world, along with James. You were smart, kind, firm, gentle and brutally honest. You played a mean game of dominoes and was the funniest troublemaker in the world! We both shared a love for reading that we inherited from our Mother. When you passed, Jean said, "the circle has been broken". I like to think of it this way, when one link is gone, the other links have to move in tighter to close up the circle. And I know this is what you would want us to do. Well...It's been a long day without you my friend and I will tell you all about it when I see you again. Rest in Love my Brother.

Signed, Your baby Sister, Jim

MY BEST FRIEND SAM

Sam was much more than an acquaintance; he was my best friend and just like my brother, family. I could talk to him in confidence and expect logical and Christian responses.

His memory was unbelievable when it came to current events, facts, and people's names.

I could not remember all of the names of all members of my family, yet Sam remembered all of the people he met. He remembered the first, middle, and last names. When he answered the telephone, he said hello Bill Eason. He did not mention my middle name, which I am glad, but he knew it. He loved to read, I remember him consistently collecting several newspapers and it was evident that he read them, because he was well informed of politics, local events, and sports. He loved life, which was expressed through his sense of humor, and his very distinct laughter. I admired him for the complete, wonderful, and genuine person that he was. I knew what to expect from my friend and that was comforting. We were different, but Sam was accepting, not judgmental. Sam meant the world to me, we had a long history together, we both came from modest backgrounds, and the Air Force gave us new leases on life. I met Sam in the Air Force, in England. I do not remember the circumstances under which we met, which testifies to how easy it was to know him. We had the same job classification, worked in the same building, worked a part time job together, as well as visited each other when we were not working.

Two months before I was due to retire from the Air Force; I received a call from Sam, offering me a job to come to work for Boeing in Saudi Arabia. The call was a blessing, because I had no clear idea what job I could expect to do otherwise. Sam was my Manager in Saudi, and upon my arrival there, he was my sponsor to get me settled in. It was good to know someone in this different and hot place. Different was ok with Sam, who always seemed calm. I never saw him upset, and least of all, overreacting to circumstances.

He was generous, and his motto was if he wanted something then he would get it, but he was not an extravagant man, I would have a cookout, and invite Sam, and he would bring the good stuff, just like he was hosting the event. Sam was a Christian, and he knew how important Christianity was, because we had been to the other side. When I talked with Sam, it was obvious that he loved God. The thought of him suffering while he was ill breaks my heart, but it brings me joy to know that he is beyond that now and has a blissful eternal life in Heaven.

He had a tremendous impact on my life, and I miss him dearly. He was my friend.

Bill Eason