Mr. Larry Wayne Langston, Sr., of Newark, Arkansas, departed this life on Saturday, November 30, 2024, at the age of 76. He was born January 4, 1948, in Newport, the son of Melvin Hayden and Betty Lynn (Austin) Langston.
Mr. Langston graduated from Newark High School in 1965 and attended Crowley’s Ridge Community College. On April 7, 1972, Larry Langston married Joanne Fay Schelling, and they enjoyed 52 years together.
Mr. Langston was a beloved member of the Newark community, dedicating his time as a city alderman and serving on the Newark Volunteer Fire Department. He received the Modern Woodmen Hero’s Award in recognition of his efforts.
He retired from Entergy following 28 years of service. Mr. Langston was a member of Newark First Missionary Baptist Church, where he took great joy in attending services and church events.
He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and drag racing. Most importantly, Mr. Langston loved visiting with his family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Carl Hayden Langston; his father and mother-in-law, Ralph and Alice Schelling; brothers and sisters-in-law, Jerald Lee Czarnecki, John Henry Schelling, Harriet Alyde Hoogerwerf and her husband, Donald, and Emma Jean DeRuiter.
Mr. Langston is survived by his wife of 52 years, Joanne Fay (Schelling) Langston of the home; two sons, Larry Wayne Langston, Jr., and wife, Donita of Springdale, Arkansas, and James Alan Langston of Newark; two grandchildren, Hailey Madison Langston and fiancé, Aaron Joseph Smith of Farmington, and Samuel Hayden Langston of Springdale; one great-granddaughter, Raylynn Elizabeth Smith of Farmington; special girl in Poppy’s life, Maggie Kate Baxter of Newark; one brother-in-law, Richard Andrew DeRuiter of Grand Rapids, Michigan; four sisters-in-law, Wanetta Czarnecki of Wyoming, Michigan, Carol Glass and husband, Terry, of Wyoming, Michigan, Alisa Vanzoeren and husband, Tom of Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Amanda Yvonne Schelling of Caledonia, Michigan; her special dog, Hazel Grace; many nieces, nephews, and a lifetime of friends.
Friends may visit at Jackson’s Newark Funeral Home, Tuesday evening, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Funeral services are 10 a.m. Wednesday, December 4, 2024, at Newark First Missionary Baptist Church, with interment following at Blue Springs Cemetery.
Those honored to serve as pallbearers are Don “Tink” Smith, Curt Davis, Robbie Parks, Lane Parks, Tim Glass, and Dan Glass. Honorary pallbearers are Phillip Morrison, Larry Craig, Larry Magness, Brian Barber, Members of the Newark Volunteer Fire Department, and the Newark City Council and Staff.
Arrangements by Jackson’s Newark Funeral Home.
