Tony Lang, a fourth quarter man, Missourian by birth and a Kansan by choice, passed away Wednesday, July 9, 2014 at the Sweet Life at Rosehill. Tony is survived by his wife Betty of 65+ years of marriage, he proposed to her when they were sophomores at St. Joseph High, Shawnee, Kansas. For their first date to attend a Shawnee Mission Football game, he asked his father for a few dollars…his dad advised him then…don't spend all your money foolishly on girls, just the one you're going to marry. He did. (His dad also advised, if you are old enough to take out girls, you are old enough to go to work and earn you own money…He did) Tony and Betty are parents of 5 individual children, two girls and three boys. It kept Tony busy, especially the later years to keep up with them and their demands: Roxanne (Jerry) Freeman Lang, Henderson, Nevada; Jay (A.J. Lang, III) and (Sharon Rose George) Olathe; Rebecca Merwald (Jim), Lake Quivira, Kansas; Christopher Lang (Bobbie), Shawnee, Kansas; Robert Lang (Mary), Northbrook, Illinois; 16 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his grandson, Zachary Freeman. Tony, born in 1929, always said that he was fortunate to be born to Catholic and democratic parents, Tony and Frances Lang, he practiced those principals his entire life. He carried with him and encouraged his children and associates to live the philosophy of his folks: "If you live in a community, give to that community!" They did and so did he. You might remember Tony as a member and chairman of the Shawnee Planning Commission, the Merriam Planning Commission, or the Planning Commission of Lake Quivira. His state involvements in: First Kansas Dealer Review Board, Chair of Kansas Real Estate Commission; Johnson County Civil Service Board, member and Chair, 21 years, Johnson County Affordable Housing Program, various Shawnee Programs the latest being the City Wide Taxi Program and the Shawnee Civil Service Board. There have been others too, the No Smoking Campaign for Shawnee and recently his 1000 Shoe Donation Drives for the VFW campaign of "Veterans helping Veterans". Another example of "living in the community and giving to that community". Tony's "claim to fame" was being declared the winner of the Kansas City Better Baby Contest, Kansas City Journal Post, July 1930. He took that fame with him when he started the Old Shawnee Days Celebration for the Shawnee Historical Society in the late 60's. Tony joined the Marine Corps Reserve in Olathe during high school, at least once a month he got to go "up and away" with one of the reserve pilots. He was activated at the beginning of the Korean War. Leaving his wife of one year and newly born daughter. He returned home in August 1952, with the rank of Sergeant and the eagerness to attend college. Tony went to Rockhurst College, Evening Division for 7 straight years, applying his learnings to his daily tasks. After 10 years with Ford Motor Company, Industrial Relations and Kansas City District Sales; a short hitch as the acting Ford Dealer in St. Mary's, Kansas. Tony returned home to become a Realtor, AJ Lang Associates, Inc. with offices in Shawnee, Olathe and Overland Park…retired in 2002 and enjoyed each and every day, "giving to the community." He asked to say "Thank You" to all the folks who helped along the way.

Visitation and Services

Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m., Sunday, July 13 at the Amos Family Funeral Home and Crematory, where a rosary will be prayed at 6 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m., Monday at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 11311 Johnson Drive, Shawnee. Burial with military honors will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery.

Memorial Contributions

The family asks those who desire to bring shoes, in memory of Tony's VFW 1000 Pair Shoes Donation Drive to assist Disabled Veterans and their families…remembering…"We help those in the community in which we live."