Raymond Gawan Langston

Raymond Gawan Langston was born in Salt Lake City, Ut on 11/13/1925 to George Alpheus Langston and Rhea Gawan Langston. He passed away peacefully in his sleep at home on 3/10/22. Ray was the youngest child, he had two older sisters, Vyrle and Frances. His father passed away when Ray was two years old so, he was raised by his Mother, Grandmother and his Uncle Lou (who taught him the joy of sports!). He grew up in Salt Lake City where he played baseball and football in any open field he and his friends could find. He also learned to ski (he talked about skiing down I street from top to bottom, more than once!). He attended Grant, Uintah and Lowell Elementary Schools, Roosevelt Junior High and graduated from East High School. He loved sports and music. He was in many school plays and chorus groups and, also played Football, Baseball and Basketball (earning several awards).
After graduation, he enlisted in the Navy during WWII. He was supposed to go to basic training in Florida but, his Grandmother passed away so he stayed in SLC to help the family, he was sent to Helena Montana for training and from there to San Diego. He was stationed in the South Pacific during the war. He even played Baseball while in the Navy! He told us a few stories of the war and wrote down a few more but, like most Veterans he kept much inside we are sure. He was discharged In May 1945. He then enrolled at the University of Utah in the fall of 1945. He joined Sigma Nu Fraternity and had many fun experiences while there.
Ray met a beautiful girl named Edith ‘Mae’ Keller on a blind date. He took her dancing at the Rainbow Room in downtown SLC. They were married on January 21,1949 in Holladay, Utah. On October 16,2015 Ray and Mae were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple. Ray and Mae settled on Keller Lane and had 3 children, Bradley Ray, Alan Keller and Edie Ann. They gave us the best childhood a kid could ask for! They were both ‘all about family’ and instilled in us a deep love of family.
Of course, his love of sports turned into a career. He traveled the Intermountain West selling sports equipment to High Schools, Colleges and Universities. We got to go on trips with him all summer and that’s where we learned to love nature, outdoors and family time. He was one of the first Ski Patrol persons hired at Brighton Ski Resort and soon switched to teach skiing at Brighton and later at Alta Ski Resort with Alf Engen and several of Mae’s relatives. Bradley and Alan were both athletic and played Baseball and Ski raced, Ray coached both. He helped found ATS (Alpine Training School) and put on many ski races throughout the West. Mae was always by his side cheering for all the racers and keeping track of their times. When he tired of travelling, he worked at Wolfe’s Sporting Good as the manager of their Team Sports Department. He also loved to golf. He and Mae had a group of friends that golfed everywhere they could! He and Mae really enjoyed those times and cherished those friendships.
In May of 2016 Ray and Bradley had the wonderful opportunity to go on the Utah Honor Flight to Washington DC to visit the WWII Memorial and various other memorials. Mae, Edie, Alan and Cherie also followed them there. The joy on those Veterans faces was the best thing to witness. He spoke about that trip often and always smiled.
Ray loved his family! Many fun memories with extended family (Langston and Keller) spending time having fun! Traveling, skiing, golfing if we were together, he loved it! He was also unapologetically PROUD of his kids!
Ray was preceded by his best friend Mae, his Dad George, Mom Rhea, sisters Vyrle (Joe) Frances (George) Mae’s family and many friends. We are sure there was a very happy reunion! He is survived by Bradley Ray, Alan (Cherie) and Edie. Grandchildren: Mindi, Jenn, Angel, Christopher, Kurtis and Daniel. Great-Grandchildren: Brittany, Alex, Chance, Madison, Hailey, Harley and Tony. Great-great Grandchildren: Carter, Eli, Oakley and Montgomery.
Thank you all for your care of Ray! There are too many to thank but you know who you are!