Lee Aileen Langan

Lee, as she was commonly known, married Gerlon “Jerry” Langan on August 15, 1947, and raised three children; Jeff, Steve and Cathy. Lee and Jerry had a wonderful life of 39 years together until his passing. Lee is also preceded in death by her second husband, Elwood Jones, whom she married in 1988.

A professional dancer who once shared the stage with Fred Astaire, Lee once owned her own dance studio in Southern California. Lee actually met her husband, Jerry, while performing in a USO show while he was in the Air Force.

In an era of glass ceilings, Lee shattered them by working as an engineer for Pacific Telephone for 24 years. A sense of adventure caused Lee to take early retirement and move with Jerry to Northern California in the 1970s. Lee and Jerry, along with their daughter Cathy and her husband, Orville, built the Airporter Inn and Restaurant in Trinity Center, CA. Together they operated the business for 6 years before moving to Redding, CA.

Although “retired”, Lee was well known as the manager of the Whirlwind Auto Wash in Redding, that she helped run with her daughter and son-in-law for 8 years. Regular customers loved her and she prided herself on always remembering their names.

Along with her passion for dancing (in Redding she tap-danced with “Kids Unlimited), Lee had the greenest thumb you have ever seen and enjoyed gardening and reading, serving as a social chairman at her church, and planning gatherings with her neighbors at her apartment complex.

Lee was an accomplished cook and baker and held monthly “Grandma Dinners” for her family and other friends who she thought might enjoy the company.

Eternally optimistic, Lee had the amazing ability to always be positive and content, even during trying times. After a visit you were always sure to leave with a satisfied stomach, a full heart and a smile.

Along with her three children, Lee will be missed by 8 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.