- Date Of Birth: April 10, 1913
- Date Of Death: May 29, 2009
- State: Montana
Jess Eugene Langston 1913-2009 Harlowton MT – On May 29, 2009, Dad peacefully passed away at the Wheatland Memorial Nursing Home. Dad was born on April 10, 1913 on the Butte Ranch at the foot of the Porcupine Butte in Melville, MT to Jess Langston from Clayton, GA and Dora VanCleve-Langston from Melville, MT. He was the second of five kids; first came Allie, then Dad, Phil, Cleve, and Dorothy.
Dad grew up in the Melville, Big Timber and Harlowton area. He went to grade school at the Langston School on the American Fork Creek. Because it took longer than expected to build the Langston school, Dad started first grade in March and three months later was promoted to the second grade. Dad went to High School in Big Timber and Harlowton, but because of coming from a large family and The Great Depression he left high school early to help his family financially.
Dad was riding through the Daly Johnson Ranch by Melville and picked up a horse named Shorty that belonged to Helen Johnson. Helen had to track down her favorite horse, Shorty, and because of that a romance of 65 years began. They were married on October 1, 1937. Their son Jesse Jr. was born on Mother’s day in 1939 and daughter Patricia was born on April Fools Day 1942.
In 1941 during World War II he was drafted into the US Navy and served our country for four years ranked as Fireman First Class.
Dad was a jack of all trades. He was a heck of a hand with a horse; a horse whisperer before his time. He did everything from cowboying and running his cattle to hard rock mining and building tunnels in California. He was very articulate in everything he did… he thought if it wasn’t done his way, it wasn’t done right.
Dad, or Big Jess as the Grandchildren called him, was always giving us advice. For example; when you buy a license plate, buy one with a lot of numbers on it so it’s harder for the Game Warden to remember.
Wheatland Memorial did an amazing job taking care of our dad and we are very grateful for the compassion and understanding shown by the staff and Doctors in the seven years he was with you.
Proceeded in death by his wife Helen, father and mother Jess and Dora VanCleve-Langston, sister Allie Mahoney, sister Dorothy Morstein, brother Phil Langston, and brother in law Dave Johnson.
Survived by son Jess Langston (Harlowton, MT), daughter Patricia Langston (Harlowton, MT), brother Cleve and wife Mary Lou Langston (Squim, WA), sister in law Tots Langston (Squim, WA), brother in law Leigh Johnson and his wife Joan (Kalispell, MT). Grandson Jeff Burrington, his wife Sally, their children Logan and Ramsie (Missoula, MT). Grandson Lyle Burrington, his wife Anita, their children Justin and Curt (Loveland, CO). Grandson Mike Langston, his wife Lisa, their children Madison and Tess (Missoula, MT). Grandson Jesse David Langston and his wife Erin (Worden, MT). Granddaughter Arrow Langston and her daughter Riley (Wright, WY).
