Richard E. Langford

Richard Eugene (Dick) Langford died peacefully of natural causes in the early morning of July 12, 2019 in Lewistown, MT at the age of 97. Richard was born on June 26, 1922 to Arthur and Lucille (Judy) Richards Langford in Lewistown, Montana. He lived the first few years of his life in Hanover before moving to Lewistown. He had many youthful adventures including driving his grandfather's steam engine over the divide when he was 12 years old, rounding up and hauling wild horses on his uncle Martin Norman's ranch, and playing drums in a band. He entered the Marines on April 9th, 1943 where he trained as a mechanic. Six months later his troop was trapped fighting the Hauser Creek fire
in San Diego, CA and he was one of the few survivors. After spending two years in the Navy hospital, he returned to Lewistown where he opened a Harley Davidson motorcycle shop with his cousin Whaley Pallett. After the war he also became a pilot and a licensed aircraft mechanic. He had a Piper Vagabond he was restoring when the shop it was in caught fire... so he restored it twice. He later sold it and bought a Staggerwing Beech. He was the Lewistown Airport manager for 20 years before retiring. He was a very opinionated person and loved to argue... particularly about politics.

Richard met his wife V. Marie Litsey at the Judith Theater in Lewistown. When she finished her teaching job, she returned to Kentucky… but he couldn't live without her. He borrowed $200, drove to Kentucky and arrived on Marie's doorstep to propose. They were married on July 1, 1948 in Litchfield, Kentucky. They made a home in Montana where they settled down to raise a family, first in Moore, then in Lewistown where they lived together for the next 67 years until her passing in 2015.

Richard and Marie pursued a spiritual life by founding and supporting the Assembly of God Church in Lewistown.

Richard is survived by seven children: Allen Langford, Lewistown, MT; Michael (Sharyl) Langford, Seattle WA; Susan (Rene) Waters, Medicine Hat, Canada, Jenny O'Dell, Billings, MT; Daniel (Lana) Langford, Lewistown, MT; Jonathan (BarrieLynn) Langford, Fennville, Michigan; Patrick (Laura) Langford, Sandy, Utah; his brother Lawrence, Helena, MT; 19 grandchildren, and 21+
great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents Arthur Langford and Lucille Richards Langford, sisters Mildred, Florence, Thelma and Francis, brothers David, Arthur, Donald, and Eugene, great granddaughter Rebbekah Hammond, and wife Marie (Litsey) Langford.

The family would like to thank everyone who cared for Richard in his final years and days, especially Central Montana Nursing & Rehab.

Graveside Services for Richard E. (Dick) Langford will be Saturday, July 27^th, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. in the Lewistown City Cemetery. A reception will be held at the American Legion on Saturday at 2:00 p.m.  Please join the family to remember Richard. A visitation will be Friday, July 26^th, 2019 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. in the Cloyd Chapel. The Cloyd Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Friends are asked to make memorials to the Department of Disabled American Veterans the American Legion or the charity of their choice and they may be left with the Cloyd Funeral Home. Condolences for the family may be posted online at www.cloydfuneralhome.com.