Joseph Alfred Lang

Joseph Alfred Lang, “Joe”, was born on Christmas, December 25, 1935, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  He was an only child to his parents, Josef Andreas Lang and Mary Buckner Lang.  He spent his formative years in Milwaukee.  With a military career in mind, during his high school education, he joined the Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (JROTC).  He graduated in 1953.  When it was time for college, Joe chose to stay in Milwaukee and attend the University of Wisconsin.  After graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree, Joe joined the US Armed Forces as a commissioned officer. While in the Army Joe also earned a Master’s Degree in Counseling.

He met and married his wife, Jackie, (now deceased) and they began their family, welcoming Michael, Catherine, and John.  During the military years, they moved frequently, to many states, and abroad.  Joe was stationed in Korea, and he served two tours of duty in Vietnam, during the war years. 

Retiring as a Major, after almost twenty-five years of active duty, Joe and Jackie moved to Sarasota, Florida.  Jackie passed away only a few years later.  They were married for forty-two years.

While volunteering at Sarasota Memorial Hospital, Joe met Faye Crutchfield who was also a volunteer there.  They were married for fifteen joyful years.  They moved to the Raleigh area, which is Faye’s hometown.  They kept their home in Sarasota for a winter residence.  For many years, they traveled back and forth between North Carolina and Florida.  They moved to Preston Pointe Independent Senior Living, in 2024.

Joe’s interests were varied; he loved playing golf and chess, as well as playing duplicate bridge.  He never met a stranger and enjoyed visiting with all his friends and neighbors.  Joe worked as a volunteer with the American Red Cross.  Due to his extensive military training, he was able to make significant contributions to Red Cross disaster relief efforts, including setting up shelters and procuring buildings for shelters.  One of his favorite charities was the St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, and he was a regular supporter.

Joe is survived by his wife, Faye O. Crutchfield, and his three children, Michael, (Mary) of Sarasota FL, Catherine, from Texas, and John, (Paul A. II) from San Francisco.  Joe had one precious grandson, Sawyer, also of Sarasota.  Joe was predeceased by his parents, Josef and Mary, and his beloved stepson, Michael T. Crutchfield.  Joe was very close with Faye’s nieces, nephews, and cousins, many of them are local to the Raleigh area.    

A Celebration of Life will be held on February 22nd, at 2:00, at Preston Pointe. 

A regimental military funeral will be held on March 4th, at 2:00, at the Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery, 8220 Bragg Boulevard, Spring Lake, North Carolina, (near Fort Bragg). His remains will be interred at the Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in Joe’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, or to the USO.

Donaldson Funeral Home & Crematory is honored to serve the Lang family.