Arthur Frank “Art” Lang, 79, died suddenly, the way he would have wanted, at his home in Anacortes on Dec. 18, 2008. Art was born Sept. 30, 1929, at the family farm in Oak Harbor to Paul C. and Emelia G. (Oldenburg) Lang. His grandfather John Lang and his great uncle Leonard Lang emigrated from Germany and were early pioneer settlers in Oak Harbor.

Art attended and graduated from Oak Harbor High School with the Class of 1947. Following graduation, he helped his father build the family home on Campbell Lake; living with his folks until he married Maxine R. Ulrich on Feb. 18, 1955, in Clinton.

Art worked for a short time as a logger, but completed a 36-year career at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station as Traffic Control manager, supervising all shipments of equipment for personnel deployments. Upon his retirement, it was evident by the celebration that he was well respected by his peers and the moving contractors that worked with him.

Art dedicated himself to his community, not only by serving as a volunteer firefighter for Skagit County Fire District 11, but then becoming the district fire chief, serving for nearly 20 years; at the same time he was very instrumental in the maintenance of Fern Hill Cemetery. When he was no longer able to respond as a firefighter, he was elected as fire commissioner and served an additional 16 years in that capacity.

Art was an avid hunter and skilled taxidermist, both attested to by his “Trophy Room”, but his moto was: “If you can’t eat it don’t kill it.”

Art was the neighborhood handyman and thrived on the knowledge that something so simple was appreciated. Art canned fruits and vegetables after his frequent and well loved trips to Eastern Washington. For relaxation he knitted the warmest socks anyone would appreciate. His love for carpentry is ever apparent, having built three homes, his love for building log furniture and restoration of old wagon wheels.

He was also a proud member of the husband’s support group for the women of Beta Sigma Phi.

Art is survived by his wife Maxine at the family home; three daughters, Cynthia J. Luza (Terry Tidrington), Cathy J. LaCroix (Tom), all of Anacortes and Claudia J. “Candy” Rohrbach (Randy) of Eagle River, Alaska; two sisters, Annabell Berry (Earl) of Pier City, Mo., and Joan Volentine of Anacortes; seven grandchildren, Jedd Luza, Shelby Ann Ozosky (Wayne), Tyson LaCroix, Jacob Lang Rohrbach, Taylor Rose Gates (Brandon), Shelley Horack (Rich) and Heather Knutson (Eric); great grandchildren, Sam Horack, Austin and Kylee Knutson, Elizabeth Ozosky and Jaden LaCroix; special friends, Rod , Kodi and Casey Vetsch; as well as the extended Lang family and numerous nieces and nephews.

Art was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Paul Jr., sister Maxine “Mickey” Cadle, niece Susan Cadle and his brother-in-law Marion “Vol” Volentine.

Art requested no formal funeral services be conducted. He was cremated with burial to follow at a later date at Fernhill Cemetery, Anacortes. A memorial to celebrate Art’s life will take place later this spring.

Friends may sign the online guest book at www.burleyfuneralchapel.com. Arrangements are entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor.

Memorials may be made to Anacortes Senior Center Meals on Wheels or Skagit Hospice.