Lemond DeKern Lang

On March 2, 2023, God called Lemond “Deke” Lang of Worthington home to heaven after 95 years. A native of Russell, Kentucky, Deke attended school at Berea College before attending and graduating from the US Naval Academy in 1949. In 1950, Deke married Ironton, Ohio, native JoAnne Kurtz, and the two of them began a journey together that would last 70 years. Deke was a proud Navy Seabee and served in Korea and Japan during the Korean War. After his service in the navy Deke and his wife JoAnne returned to Ohio to raise their family. In Columbus, Deke worked for North American Aviation (later Rockwell) and Ashland Chemical Company (from which he retired in 1991). Deke was known for his kindness, his sense of humor, his creativity and his dedication to his family. Deke and his wife were very social and had many friends who they loved dearly. Deke loved his country, was a master woodworker, building many beautiful pieces of furniture, and was an avid reader his whole life. Deke and wife JoAnne also traveled extensively, visiting many locations though out the U.S., Canada, Australia/New Zealand and western Europe. Deke was also very interested in military history, loved the Christmas season and was a lifelong photographer. Deke’s photos include his time at the U.S. Naval Academy, his years in the Navy, literally many thousands of family photo, 8mm home movies and vacation photos of the many locations that he and JoAnne visited. Photos of particular interest include photos of midshipmen assigned to the U.S.S. North Carolina taking a swim in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, panoramic photos of war-torn Seoul, South Korea, photos of historic sites in Britain and polaroid photos that were manipulated to look like water color paintings. He was an active member of Worthington Presbyterian Church, the Worthington Historical Society, VFW Post 2398 and a Riverside Hospital volunteer. He was preceded in death by his wife of 70 years, JoAnne, and by his parents Adam and Clara Lang and his three sisters. He is survived by daughter Linda (Bill) Yost, son Robert Lang, granddaughter Michelle (Eric) Anderson, grandson Alan (Jean) Yost, great-grandson Henry Anderson, nephew William Hackworth and niece Dawna Boehmer. Calling hours are Thursday March 9, 1:00 to 2:00 PM at Worthington Presbyterian Church, 773 N High Street. Service will follow at the church at 2:00 PM, followed by a reception. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Local VFW Post 2398 at PO Box 243 Worthington, OH 43085 or a charity of your choice.

Lemond DeKern Lang

June 27, 1927 - March 9, 2023