Stephen Lang

1942 - 2018

Stephen L. Lang passed away on Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018, at home surrounded by his family.

Steve was born to Ellsworth and Inez Lang on Feb. 2, 1942, at the Klamath Agency near Chiloquin, Ore.

He grew up on the ancestral home along the Williamson River, spending countless hours with grandparents Tom and Lulu Lang, hunting, fishing and trapping along the river.

Steve was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers Gary, Butch and Alan "Tuba" Lang.

He married Beverly Hicks 53 years ago and together they built a ranch home where they raised daughters Andrea Libercajt and Brenna Lang.

In 1975, Steve, along with brother Alan "Tuba," cousin Leonard "Fritz" Norris, Chuck Kimbol and James Kirk started a lawsuit that later became known as Kikmbol vs. Callahan. This lawsuit became a milestone for the Klamath Tribes in regaining federally recognized tribal status.

Steve served on the game commission for 12 years. He was passionate about tribal rights and was known to speak his piece in council. He worked for Weyerhaeuser for over 30 years as a timber faller. He, along with his crew, set a record in timber volume taken in one day that has never been broken. He later worked as a private contractor for fire crews, taking down burning trees endangering the crews.

Steve retired when hit by a tree that another worker lost control of.

He is survived by his wife, best friend and hunting partner Beverly; daughters Andrea Libercajt and Brenna Lang; brother-in-law Robert Hicks; grandson Stephen Libercajt and Teylen Cole; granddaughters Sheranda and Shana Cole; great-grandson Stephen Libercajt II; great-granddaughters Rayanna Wilson and Vanessa Little; nephews Ellsworth Lang, James and Nester Esquada and their families; nephew Lil Robert Hicks and family; niece Alana Whitehurst; sister Alana Lang; and many cousins and friends.

He wanted to tell his family and friends to "stay strong and I'll see you again."