Richard Worsham Langston Sr.

Richard grew up in the Buckhead area of Atlanta where he attended Georgia Military Academy and graduated from North Fulton High School. He would help his parents run the family business, Langston Jewelers, where he became very familiar with the cleaning, repairing, and selling of watches. It was during this time he earned the lifelong nickname “Ace” after he pitched his team to victory in a baseball game. He then earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing from the University of Georgia in 1957, where he was also a member of the Chi Phi fraternity.

His entire career was spent working for Amoco Oil Company in multiple locations including Atlanta, Georgia; Hattiesburg, Mississippi; & Ft. Lauderdale, Indian Harbor Beach, and Jacksonville, Florida. His duties included starting the Amoco Motor Club in the Southeast. He would also advise Amoco gasoline dealers on how to market Amoco products. He also served in the Air Force Reserves and was briefly called to duty during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

He met Marilyn Baumbach in 1964 in Ft. Lauderdale. Their first date was the first night time Orange Bowl. They were married on July 31, 1965 in Melbourne, Florida. Their son Rich was born in 1967 and son Alex born in 1970. The four of them lived together in Atlanta, Hattiesburg, and Jacksonville.

In retirement, Richard gave a lot of his time to help those less fortunate. For years, he was a part of the “Wednesday Gang” for Habijax where he helped build new housing for those who could not otherwise afford a new home. He did the same work after disasters in both Miami and Mississippi and helped build churches in Romania, The Czech Republic, and Germany. He also helped feed the homeless at the Sulzbacher Center in Jacksonville. Additionally, he and Marilyn would deliver food with the Meals On Wheels program to those in need.

Faith, family, sporting events, music, telling stories, and a wicked sense of humor where his great loves. Richard loved to read the Bible through and his daily devotions. He filled many roles at the churches he attended which was Southside Methodist in Jacksonville for the last 20 years. He would often remark about how Saint Peter was his favorite inspiration outside of Jesus.

Richard’s family meant a lot to him as he always remained close to them. He loved to spend time going to kids and grandkids games and recitals, going to a music show, or just spending time in the mountains of North Georgia where he and his family-owned property since the 1940’s. One of his favorite things to do was going to University of Georgia football games in person with both friends and family.

Richard played football and ran track in high school and also coached his sons and many others in multiple sports as an adult. He was also a very good guitar player that could pick with the best when it came to country and bluegrass music.

Many would consider his sense of humor and story-telling to be his biggest calling cards. No one was ever safe from his comic prowess and quick wit.

Richard is preceded in death by his mother Gertrude Langston, father Eugene Langston, brother Clarence Langston, brother Eugene Langston Jr., sister Edith Rickettson, and son Alex Langston. He is survived by his wife Marilyn Langston, son Richard Langston Jr., daughter-in-law Michelle Langston, grandson Drew Langton, granddaughter-in-law Kristin Langston, grandson Evan Langston, and granddaughter Lydia Langston. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Habijax at Donate | Habitat for Humanity of Jacksonville, Inc (HabiJax).

There will be a memorial service at 11AM on Friday August 30, 2024 at Southside Methodist Church at 3120 Hendricks Avenue in Jacksonville, Florida. There will be a reception following the service.