William Robert Langston Jr (Bob) passed from this life on January 21, 2020 at his home as he had wished.
Bob was born November 26, 1940 in Sapulpa to Maxine and Bill Langston. He graduated from Sapulpa High School and was active in FFA, played football, and spent many hours square dancing or skating at the local roller rink. Bob received his Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering from Oklahoma State University. At OSU he was a member of Sig Ep fraternity and the ROTC. He began flight school at OSU and joined the Army. Bob left for his station in Fort Benning, Georgia immediately after graduation but not before making sure Kathryn Thompson would wear his Sig Ep pin while he was gone.
Bob could not become a pilot as he hoped because of his poor night vision. This however, saved him from a tour in Vietnam. Since he could not fly the helicopters or planes, he decided to jump out of them instead. Bob went to Ft. Bragg , NC and became a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne.
At that time, Kathryn Langston, Kathy, graduated from OSU. Bob proposed and she joined him in NC after they were married in June 1965.
Bob left the Army life in January 1966 but continued in the active reserve. Bob was employed by Buick Motor Co in Flint, Michigan but longed to return home, moving back to Tulsa in 1968. He traveled internationally as a salesman so when he was home he liked a home cooked meal and to read the paper in his favorite recliner. He enjoyed fishing, gardening, watching OSU football and being a referee at his kid’s soccer games. Bob had a soft heart for animals and was almost never without a dog in his home and by his side.
Bob retired in 1995 to take care of his mother and the homestead he grew up on. He divorced in 1996 and later met and married Janice Coats who shared his love of dancing and country life.
Bob was a strong, patriotic, determined man with a heart of gold underneath. He could appear serious and stern but had a silly sarcastic wit that would pop out. You could always
s count on Bob to give a helping hand to others. Bob was loved and he will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
He is survived by his first wife, Kathy Langston; his children: Laura (Langston)Niemann and David Langston; his grand daughters Alyssa and Avery Niemann; Step daughter Kelly Campbell & her husband Steven, their children and grandchildren.
Services will be held Monday Jan. 27 at 2:00 at Smith Funeral Home Chapel.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Smith Funeral Home 1208 South Main in Sapulpa.