Marshall E. LANGLEY Jr.

LANGLEY Marshall E. Jr, 57, known by all as Mel, passed away Mon, Aug 2, 2010 in his favorite place Naples, FL. Mel was born Oct 31, 1952 in Louisville, KY. At the age of 10, Mel moved with his parents to Lexington, KY where he made it his permanent home. Mel graduated from Lafayette High School in 1970, and was a stand out catcher for the baseball team, and attended the University of Kentucky where he was a member of the Kappa Alpha fraternity. After living briefly in Jacksonville, FL, Mel returned to Lexington where he opened Southeast Steel Company in 1980. After many successful years as one of the top steel fabricators in the area, Mel sold his company in 2002 and enjoyed a year of "retirement". Once the newness of retirement wore off, Mel opened a new company, The Langley Company, LLC where he continued to work with local contractors brokering their steel needs. Mel was also an active commercial developer both individually and with partners. Not only was Mel an astute businessman, he was also a mentor to many others, and probably many more that he did not even realize. Mel was an avid golfer, with an impressive handicap prior to his illness. Mel was a current member at Spring Valley Golf Club and Windstar on Naples Bay, a former and founding member of Andover Country Club, and a former member of Big Elm. He relished fishing with his favorite pals, and spent many pleasurable hours fishing in Canada, Georgia, the Everglades, and many local farm ponds in the Bluegrass. Mel was a huge University of Kentucky football and basketball fan, and loved tail-gaiting with all his friends. Mel was a University of Kentucky Fellow, a member of Southern Hills Methodist Church, and contributed regularly to the Boy Scouts of America, Hillcrest Baptist Church, and several other local charities. Mel will be remembered by many for his love of life, love of friends and family, and love of laughter. His big smile is what attracted many to him, and he never went anywhere where he did not run into a friend, or leave without making many new ones. Mel never met a stranger and enjoyed living, loving and having fun. He traveled extensively on golf trips, cruises and to several islands with his various groups of friends. Many of Mel's favorite activities included "bellying up to the bar" at his favorite watering holes, the Chevy Chase Inn and Rossi's. He also had a favorite table in the Merrick Inn bar where he enjoyed the company of all the other "regulars". Although Mel's illness was serious, no one could have faced it with more grace, humor, humility and faith than he. Mel spent the last few weeks of his life watching the sunrise from the lanai in Naples, and relishing the views of the lake. He was at peace with himself, and asked only that he be remembered with laughter and love, not tears. Mel is survived by his beloved wife and companion of 17 years, Tracie Abbott Langley, his parents Marshall & Marteta Langley, Sr, Lexington, a brother Robert L. Langley (Beverly), Georgetown, and a sister Dee Stone (James) Hieatt, Lexington. He is survived by his two loving sons, Marshall E."Trey" Langley III, Orlando, FL, and Benjamin T. Langley, Lexington, and his former wife, Brenda L. Langley Mims, Nicholasville. Mel is also survived by many beloved cousins, nephews, nieces, grand nephews and grand nieces, and many close friends. Mel was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Robert P. and Marie McKinney Langley, and maternal grandparents Doris Conrad and Dennis E. Shearer. Honorary pallbearers are Ted Kessinger, Ford Phares, Ted Mims, John W. Link, Mike Russell, Mike Glowatch, Sam Brown, JR Disponette, Chris Glover, Bill Cowgill, Chip Brown, Douglas Underwood, Lee Langley, Brandon Langley, Logan Langley, John Stone and Rick Stoll. A memorial service will be 11am Sat, Aug 14 at Centenary Methodist Church by the Rev. Tom Grieb. Visitation will be from 4-8pm Fri, Aug 13 at Kerr Brothers Funeral Home, Main St. Suggested memorial contributions may be made to CaringBridge.org, Avow Hospice, 1095 Whippoorwill Lane, Naples FL 34105-3847, and Hospice of the Bluegrass, 2312 Alexandria Drive, Lexington, KY 40504-3277 or a charity of your choice.