Leslie W. Langford

Leslie W. Langford, entered the arms of our Savior on Tuesday, February 21, 2017 under the loving care of his family and The Hospice of Lenawee in Adrian, Michigan. He was 92 years young.

Les was born to James Connell and Flossie Langford, May 23, 1924 in Adams, Tennessee. The family moved to Pontiac, Michigan when he was four where he grew up. His professional life started at the Pontiac Press and he moved to Battle Creek, working for the Enquirer-News and in 1972 he moved to Jackson, Michigan, where he retired from the Jackson Citizen Patriot as Display Advertising Representative. He loved the newspaper business!

Leslie was proud of his WWII service in the U.S. Army, serving 3 years, 2 of which were in wartime Europe. He was assigned to XII Corps Headquarters, where he took part in General Patton's 3rd Army march across France, by driving the first computerized mapping vehicle called an Odograph. He joked that Patton didn't use his maps much as Patton was going faster than they could map the roads.

After returning from the war, Leslie met Eleanore Joan Chase on a blind date and married September 12, 1951. Ellie was the love of his life and they were happily married for over 65 years. Les and Ellie have 5 children, 6 grandchildren and two great grandchildren and many loving nieces and nephews.

Surviving Leslie are his wife, Eleanore and children: Janet Langford Gray, Jeannene Langford (Tom), Julie Field (John), James Chase Langford (Steve), and Jon Langford (Helen). Also surviving is his sister Betty Jean Shaw, grandchildren Scott Gray, Eric Shea Frederick, Jenna Beehler (Tim), Julie Aksland (Loren), Shannon Field(Layla), Summer Langford, and great grandchildren Sofie Bland and Jude Beehler.

Les very much enjoyed his time with family and friends. His children and grandchildren were his pride and joy! Les was always eager to make new friends and did so well wherever he went.
Les spent a lifetime helping his community. He was President of Pontiac Jaycees and organized the Pontiac United Way Drive parades. He also was a Battle Creek Indian Guides leader and volunteered at Ella Sharp Park Museum.

Les took on a personal project to collect and supply free golf clubs to the Army veterans at Custer Greens Golf Course part of the Battle Creek Veteran's Association (VA). He was known to contact people with clubs for sale and cajole them to donate their clubs to the veterans. Through his friends and local businesses, Les was able to donate over 1000 golf clubs, dozens of bags and trunk-loads of golf balls.

Les was preceded in his death by his parents James Connell & Flossie Langford and his sister, Joyce Elizabeth Witbeck.

A Celebration of his life will be held at the Desnoyer Funeral Home on Saturday, March 4 at 1:00 PM with Pastor Tim Beehler as the celebrant.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Saturday, March 4, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM.

Private interment will take place where he entered the US Army service, at Fort Custer National Cemetery, Battle Creek, Michigan.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.desnoyerfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Lenawee, www.hospiceoflenawee.org to whom the family are forever grateful, or to Ella Sharp Park Museum, www.ellasharpmuseum.org. Envelopes are also available at Desnoyer Funeral Home.

Desnoyer Funeral Home---Family owned for 127 years