Robert “Bob” Franklin Lang, 87, of Dunlap, Tennessee, passed away Monday, November 16, 2015.
Bob was born in Austin, TX on Jan. 16, 1928 to the late James Franklin Lang and Lola Nixon Lang.
Bob grew up in Texas and joined the U.S. Army Air Corps after graduation from high school. Bob had a 26-year career in the US Air Force and retired in 1974 with the rank of Chief Master Sergeant. Bob was with the 25th Special Operations Squadron based at Eglin AFB at the time of his retirement. Bob served in the Korean War and in Thailand during the Vietnam War. After military service, Bob bought a farm in Opp Alabama and raised cattle and farmed until 1990 when he moved to Dunlap. Bob was a devoted member of Bethel Church of Christ in Bledsoe County from 1990 until his passing. Bob was married to Helen Roberson Lang for 54 years until her passing in 2009. Bob married Wilma Allison on Nov.16, 2012. Wilma was a devoted wife and friend to Bob.
Bob will always be remembered for his Texas style beef brisket BBQ at the Roberson Family reunions. Bob was a friend to many in the Valley and he will be greatly missed.
He is survived by his wife, Wilma Allison Lang; sons, Harold Lang and wife Barbara, James Lang and wife Grace and Tom Lang and wife Leigh; step-son, Scott Sandberg and wife Alyssa; daughter, Hallie; step-daughter, Susan Sandberg; grandsons, Josh Lang, Elijah Lang, Seth Lang, John Lang, Robert Lang and wife Ashley and Richard Lang and wife Paige; granddaughters, Sarah Lang, Anna Wells and husband Jonathon Wells and Linda Fetchner and husband Ryan and great-grandsons, Caleb Lang, Will Lang, Matthew Lang, Noah Lang, Aiden, Caleb and Coraline Wells.
In addition to his first wife, Bob was preceded in death by his brother, Tommy Lang; and granddaughter, Melissa Lang Pyle.
A Celebration of his life will be held at Pikeville Funeral Home on Thursday, Nov. 19 at 11 a.m. CDT with Bro. T.A. Smith and Bro. Bobby Collier officiating. He will be laid to rest in the Roberson Family Cemetery on East Valley Road.
The family will welcome friends on Wednesday, Nov. 18 from 5-8 p.m.
Memorial donations can be made to Bethel Church of Christ PO Box 84, Dunlap TN 37327 or The Hospice of Chattanooga Foundation PO Box 46, Chattanooga, TN 37401.
Pikeville Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements. Condolences can be made at www.pikevillefuneralhome.com.