Walter Langford

Walter Langford Chief Master Sergeant Walter Langford, age 62, of Smyrna, GA, formerly of Union Point, GA, died Sunday, June 19, 2005 at Athens Regional Medical Center. He was born on the 22nd of February 1943, in Union Point, GA, the 6th of 10 children born to the late Jessie and Cleo Lankford. At the age of 17 he enlisted in the United States Air Force as a supply specialist. His first assignment took him to Luke Air Force Base in Arizona where he worked as a Base Housing Inspector. In 1963 he was sent to Kunsan AB, Korea where he worked in the War Rediness Material Section of Base Supply. His last active duty assignment was in 1964 at Williams AFB, AZ. Chief Langford was discharged after honorably completing his enlistment commitment. In 1978 he joined the Air Force Reserves where he became an Air Cargo Specialist and a Rigger for the 80th Mobile Aerial Port Squadron. It was here that Chief Langford developed and sharpened his skills as a top notch Aerial Porter. During his long and distinguished career with the 80th APS, Chief Langford has sacrificed untold time and effort into making the 80th APS the super unit it is today. Among his accomplishments, Chief Langford served tours of duty as a TPC instructor (Transportation Proficiency Center 1984-1987), 1985 Voliant Rodeo ERO Team-94th Airlift Wing-Winners of World Wide Competition. A six month tour of duty at Army Material Command for Operation REEFEX in 1995, Alexandria, VA. Appointed Command Sergeant Major of Operation REEFEX Joint Task Force, which consisted of Army, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard personnel. Mission: To create an artificial reef using M1 Tanks and Armored Personnel Carriers off the coast of New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Louisiana, Georgia and Alabama. Chief Langford also spent a tour of duty at Ramstein AB Germany from 1996-1997 as the Reserve Coordinator of Guard and Reserve Personnel for Operation Joint Endeavor. In all, Chief Langford served 30 honorable years of service to his country including participation in relief and operational efforts during Hurricane Andrew, Hurricane Hugo, Operation Noble Eagle, Desert Shield/Desert Storm and Operation Joint Endeavor. He is survived by his fiance’, Angelina Garcia of Smyrna, GA; two stepdaughters, Andrea Marie Garcia of Smyrna, GA and Bobbi Nicole Garcia of Smyrna, GA; a son, Shayne Langford of Murfreesboro, TN; five sisters, Darlene Carter of Loganville, GA, Betty Campbell of Conyers, GA, Jeannette Rainey of Eatonton, GA, Joyce Dale of Stone Mountain, GA and Gail Sturdivant of Bonaire, GA; four brothers, Bobby Lankford of Stephens, GA, Clarence Lankford of Eatonton, GA, Roger Lankford of Stephens, GA and Charles Lankford of Danielsville, GA; and a host of other relatives, friends and his special pet dog, Geronimo. He was preceded in death by a son, Brian “Bobo” Langford in November of 1996. Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, June 22, 2005 at 2:00 p.m. at the Bethel Baptist Church in Union Point, GA with Rev. Colin Duncan officiating. Interment will follow at Greenlawn Cemetery in Union Point, GA with full military honors. Honorary pallbearers will be Bob Lankford, Russell Lankford, Geoff Dale, Scott Dale, Keith Lankford, Mark Rainey, Robbie Rainey and Kenny Futrell. The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Tuesday night at the funeral home. Any memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 1684 Barnett Shoals Road, Athens, GA 30605 or Habitat for Humanity, P. O. Box 321, Greensboro, GA 30642. McCommons Funeral Home, 109 W. Broad St., Greensboro, GA, (706) 453-2626, is in charge of arrangements. Visit us at www.mccommonsfuneralhome.com to sign the online guest register.

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