1927
J.
2013
J. Phillip Langdon
December 13, 1927 — August 20, 2013
J. Phillip Langdon, born December 13, 1927, in Independence, MO, son of Roger and Leota Langdon passed peacefully the morning of August 20, 2013, at Unity Point Health - Trinity Rock Island, Rock Island, IL. His loving wife, Elizabeth, was at his side.
Graveside Services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, August, 26, 2013, at National Cemetery at Rock Island Arsenal. Those wishing to attend the service should meet at Esterdahl Mortuary & Crematory, Ltd., 6601 38th Avenue, Moline, IL, at 10:15 a.m. Visitation will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, August 25, 2013, at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Children's Therapy Center/Autism, 1504 13th Avenue, Moline.
An accomplished athlete and sportsman, Phil earned the rank of Eagle Scout and ROTC Captain before graduating from Kansas City, Missouri's East High School in 1946. Promptly following graduation he moved to Alaska where he homesteaded with his parents and worked for both the Alaska Mining Company and Railroad. In 1950, he began serving in the U.S. Army's Heavy Motor company 223 Infantry and received an Army Occupation Medal (Japan) and a Korean Service Medal with one Bronze Star. Following honorable discharge from the Army, Phillip again worked for the railroad in Alaska, Oregon and Missouri. He graduated from Graceland College, Lamoni, Iowa, in June 1956. And then went on to Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan, graduating with a Mechanical Engineering Degree in June 1958. While a college student in Lamoni, Iowa, he met his future wife, Elizabeth.
Phillip and Elizabeth married on June 22, 1958, and moved to Alaska where they lived for the next 9 years. Two children were born to Phillip, John Phillip and Theresa Anne. He worked for the Chugach Electric Company both in Anchorage and Kenai. He was instrumental in opening the Bernice Lake Power Plant, the first on the Western shore of the Kenai Peninsula. Moving back to the "lower 48" in 1967, he began working at Rock Island Arsenal, retiring in 1993. He was very active in his community and Church most notably volunteering ministerial services at the East Moline Correction Center for 8 years, serving as a citizen arbitrator on their parole board for one term, as well as volunteering as an instructor at the Arsenal's Junior Rifle Club. Phillip was a much beloved son, husband, father and friend to all who knew him.
Survivors include his wife, Elizabeth; son, John; daughter, Anne; granddaughter, Lisa; two grandsons, Phillip and Richard; three great grandchildren, Michael, Mikenzie, and Joe; many relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother.
Online condolences may be left for his family by visiting esterdahl.com.
Graveside Services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, August, 26, 2013, at National Cemetery at Rock Island Arsenal. Those wishing to attend the service should meet at Esterdahl Mortuary & Crematory, Ltd., 6601 38th Avenue, Moline, IL, at 10:15 a.m. Visitation will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, August 25, 2013, at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Children's Therapy Center/Autism, 1504 13th Avenue, Moline.
An accomplished athlete and sportsman, Phil earned the rank of Eagle Scout and ROTC Captain before graduating from Kansas City, Missouri's East High School in 1946. Promptly following graduation he moved to Alaska where he homesteaded with his parents and worked for both the Alaska Mining Company and Railroad. In 1950, he began serving in the U.S. Army's Heavy Motor company 223 Infantry and received an Army Occupation Medal (Japan) and a Korean Service Medal with one Bronze Star. Following honorable discharge from the Army, Phillip again worked for the railroad in Alaska, Oregon and Missouri. He graduated from Graceland College, Lamoni, Iowa, in June 1956. And then went on to Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan, graduating with a Mechanical Engineering Degree in June 1958. While a college student in Lamoni, Iowa, he met his future wife, Elizabeth.
Phillip and Elizabeth married on June 22, 1958, and moved to Alaska where they lived for the next 9 years. Two children were born to Phillip, John Phillip and Theresa Anne. He worked for the Chugach Electric Company both in Anchorage and Kenai. He was instrumental in opening the Bernice Lake Power Plant, the first on the Western shore of the Kenai Peninsula. Moving back to the "lower 48" in 1967, he began working at Rock Island Arsenal, retiring in 1993. He was very active in his community and Church most notably volunteering ministerial services at the East Moline Correction Center for 8 years, serving as a citizen arbitrator on their parole board for one term, as well as volunteering as an instructor at the Arsenal's Junior Rifle Club. Phillip was a much beloved son, husband, father and friend to all who knew him.
Survivors include his wife, Elizabeth; son, John; daughter, Anne; granddaughter, Lisa; two grandsons, Phillip and Richard; three great grandchildren, Michael, Mikenzie, and Joe; many relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother.
Online condolences may be left for his family by visiting esterdahl.com.
Visitation Details
Sunday, August 25th, 2013, 2:00pm - 5:00pm, Esterdahl Mortuary & Crematory
Service Details
Monday, August 26th, 2013, 11:00am, National Cemetery
Interment Details
National Cemetery
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