John Keith Langan, 88
Jack Langan was born Oct. 18, 1919, in Springfield, Ill., grew up in Odell, Ill., and died Sept. 11 on Bainbridge Island.
Langan retired from the U.S. Navy after 20 years including service during World War II and the Korean War. The first member of his family with a college degree, he earned a master’s in educational psychology. He began his career as a teacher and basketball coach at Olympic Community College in Bremerton and served as director of military dependents’ schools in Europe in the 1950s.
Langan developed educational programs for Safeco Insurance and taught at many area colleges and universities. He developed product lines for Pemco Insurance Company and concluded his career by playing a key role in program development in the Department of Business at North Seattle Community College.
He was an avid fisherman and natural athlete who declined a contract with a New York Yankees minor league team to enlist in the Navy after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
He had an avid interest in politics his entire life and remained a student of current affairs until his death. He enjoyed a good drink and a good hand of blackjack.
He is survived by his daughters Peg Hall (Moss Patashnik) Melissa Langan (Larry Sattler), grandchildren Tom Schrader, Sarah Pollard, Adrienne Minter, and Moriah Patashnik and great-grandchildren Lacey, Jordan, Rachel, Kellen, Carmen and Camren.
There will be a family graveside service at Seabold Cemetery, Bainbridge Island. Donations suggested to the American Cancer Society. An online guest book is available at www.cookfamilyfuneralhome.com.
Louise Wright, 82
Louise Wright died Sept. 6 in Bremerton. She battled Alzheimer’s for three years, during which time she was cared for by husband James Wright and daughter Susan Cleaver. Born Oct. 15, 1925, to John Bates Fuqua and Ruth Ann Harvey in Oklahoma City, Wright was raised in Altus, OK.
Her father, a pharmacist, died when she was 3 years old, leaving her mother to raise she and six older half-siblings. Wright graduated from Altus High School and attended the Cadet Nurses Corps at the Bethel School of Nursing in Colorado Springs, Colo.
Wright and her husband, James, wed on Aug. 10, 1946, in Colorado Springs. Their first home was in Boulder, Colo. They moved to Bremerton in 1973.
Wright loved music, enjoying the piano, church choir and singing with family. She was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Later-day Saints (Silverdale 1st Ward).
Wright is survived by James, her husband of 62 years; and their six children: Ron (Donna) of Tualatin, Ore.; John (Carol) of Clovis, Calif.; Debbie (Marshall) Nielsen of Millbrae, Calif.; Denice (Tom) Willard of Glendale, AZ; Bill (Muriel) of Port Orchard; Susan (Paul) Cleaver of Poulsbo; 24 grandchildren; 19 great grandchildren (with two more on the way); and her half-sister Mary Francis Greasby of Anaheim, Calif.
A memorial service will be at 12:30 p.m. Sept. 22 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on 9256 Nels Nelson Road. There will be an open viewing at 10 a.m. at Lewis Funeral Chapel and at 11 a.m. a grave dedication at Forest Lawn Cemetery. An online memorial can be seen at www.lewischapel.com. Memorial contributions may be made to the Humanitarian Fund of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
