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Donn Langfitt Obituary
The Reverend Dr. Donn Keith, age 87, died Friday, April 16, 2021, after a long and debilitating illness, surrounded by his loving wife and family.
Born to Bruce and Helen Bohnert Langfitt, Charleston, WV in 1933, Donn Langfitt went on to serve as a minister for nearly 60 years in the Presbyterian Church. Donn received his undergraduate degree from King College in Bristol, TN, his Master's of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary in Richmond, VA, and a Doctor of Divinity in Small Group Ministry from McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago, IL.
Throughout his career, Donn was known for his humorous and thoughtful sermons. In addition to his ministry, he served as a volunteer firefighter, radio host and disc jockey. He enjoyed the storytelling process and wrote poetry and humor columns for multiple publications throughout Virginia and North Carolina. Over the course of his illustrious career, he served pastorates in Franklin, NC, Arlington, VA, Herndon, VA, and Staunton, VA, retiring in Maitland, FL. He then served interim pastorates in Maryland, Tennessee, and Virginia. Donn loved coming into the challenge of a church in transition, stabilizing the congregation and helping them on the path to lasting to ministry.
He is survived by his wife, Patricia, his children, Gary Langfitt and his wife Rebecca Bostrom of Dublin, OH, Rebecca Earhart and her husband Christopher of Staunton, VA, Dr. Mark Langfitt and his wife Susan of Easton, MD, Ellen Langevin and her husband Mark of Oviedo, FL, and David Langfitt and his wife Pamela of Glen Allen.
He is survived by his grandchildren Sarah Earhart, William Earhart and his wife Dr. Erin Earhart, Caitlin Langfitt and her husband Charles King, Benjamin Langevin and his wife Erika Queen-Langevin, Madeline Langfitt, Emma Langfitt, Matthew Langfitt, and Joshua Langfitt. He is survived by his great-grandchildren Henry Earhart and Eleanor Earhart.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, April 30 at The Presbyterian Church of Fredericksburg, VA. Social distancing and mask wearing are required. Private spreading of ashes will take place at the Covenant Presbyterian Church Memorial Garden in Staunton, VA and private interment of ashes will take place at the Rough Creek Presbyterian Church in Phenix, VA.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Fredericksburg Rescue Squad at 510 William Street, Fredericksburg, VA 22401, the Capital Fund of The Presbyterian Church of Fredericksburg at 810 Princess Anne Street, Fredericksburg, VA 22401, or the church of your choice.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Donn Langfitt
5 Entries
Deb Nester
April 26, 2021
So sorry for your loss.
Jean Turner
April 25, 2021
We were members of Trinity Presbyterian in Herndon, and Donn was pastor there in the early 70s when I was a teenager. My mother was church secretary and so enjoyed working with him. She was also the first woman to be deacon in the church, and he may have had something to do with that. We all adored Donn, such energy, and even as a restless teenager I loved his sermons. So sorry to hear the sad news. He has left wonderful memories.
Jane Bourne
April 25, 2021
To Oatricia and family, My heart mourns with you at the loss of your husband and father. He was a wonderful man and holds a special place in my memories. He was the pastor for our wedding ceremony, the baptism of my first child, and he performed the burial service for my father. He was a welcome addition to our churches 50 Year Anniversary celebrations. I loved his sense of humor and his down to earth wisdom and way of speaking truth. Thank you for sharing him with our congregation at Trinity Presbyterian Church from 1964 to 1971. I pray that you find joy in memories if time spent with him, just as I will; and that you are surrounded by friends and family during this difficult time of letting go. Working fir the Lord (as he did) doesn’t pay well, but the rewards are out if this world.
Mary Duzan Hawley
April 25, 2021
My condolences to the family with your loss and many hopes that you have opportunities to celebrate Rev. Langfitt's life. He was a young minister at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Herndon and was well beloved and remembered by many of us who were in youth groups. He performed my marriage ceremony and I always will remember his words to us. "When you are 80, may you be found standing then as now, hand in hand, looking at the sunset thinking 'Out of all this world, you have chosen me'". What a wonderful way to remind young couples that their love and marriage is a lifelong commitment.
I have no doubt that his later ministries had a great impact on others as well.
May he rest in peace and may God's love bring you comfort.
Rob and Laura Bostrom
April 23, 2021
May God bless your family in this time of sorrow.
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