The Captain's Quill: Don Langen (2 Jan 1933-14 Dec 1999)

Ten years ago today, we lost one of the greatest men I've ever known.

I sure do miss my dad!

William Donald LANGEN was the son of Laverne Dee Porter "Verne" LANGEN and Myla Oleta "Leta"JONES. He was born 2 Jan 1933, in Whittenburg, Texas, a small oil town in Hutchinson County, where his dad worked for Phillips Oil Company. Verne & Leta called their baby "Billy Don." As he grew older he was called Don.

Leta and Don, 1933	Vern and Don, 1933
In 1942, the Langen Family, now with Don's younger brother, Mike, moved to Santa Monica, California, where his sister, Linda, was born. Don attended Santa Monica High School, starring in Football and Track. He graduated in June 1951. In March 1953, at the age of 20, Don enlisted in the United States Army.

Mar 1951	Mar 1953

While stationed at Camp Roberts, California, he visited his Uncle Keetah and Aunt Ruth Jones who pastored the Assembly of God Church in Vallejo, California, about 200 miles north.

In Vallejo, he met 17-year-old Gladys Geneen WALTON, who attended the church. Don and Geneen fell madly in love and every chance he got, he made the 3½ hour trip up to Vallejo to see her.

Four months later, on August 16, 1953, they were married by Uncle Keetah in the Vallejo church.

Don and Geneen had four sons, William Donald "Bill" Jr, Eugene Dee "Gene", Derrill Vaughn, and David Alan. As their family grew, they continued to move frequently, just as they had done while in the Army. They lived in numerous homes in several cities in California, including: Santa Monica, Culver City, North Hollywood, Lakeview Terrace, Simi, and Santa Susana.
	Mar 1955

Nov 1955

1959	1961

1966	1972

In 1976 they moved to Washington State, living in Carson and then Stevenson, where Don worked for the County of Skamania until he retired in 1995. Don made his final move to Fernley, Nevada, where he lived until his death three years later.

1977	1979

1990	1992