John K Langhammer

John Kenneth Langhammer (1926-2015) was born to Francis Joseph and Mary Jane Langhammer in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, on December 29, 1926 and went home to be with his Lord on Friday, June 26, 2015 in Norwalk, California after a long battle with Parkinson’s. John and his wife resided in Downey, California where they have lived since 1973.

John moved with his parents and siblings (one half-brother and three sisters) to California from Oklahoma in 1940. As a young man, he worked as a caddie at a golf course and then went to work for MacDonald Douglas. In 1944, he entered the navy where he was stationed in Norfolk, Virginia, and received an early discharge in 1946 after the death of his father. He married the love of his life, Wilma Jean Wilson, on October 16, 1947. He worked as an ironworker for 30 years and was a life member of Iron Workers Local Union 416, working on numerous projects including Dodger Stadium, Disneyland, the Bonaventure Hotel, and the Hollywood Magic Castle. After retiring from iron work, he became a carpenter at Rockwell in Downey, California, where he worked for 15 years until retiring. After retiring, John and Wilma traveled to Hawaii, the east coast, and a variety of shorter trips, many of them with his sister Frances England and her husband Richard.

John was a dedicated provider for his family and loved making memories with annual vacations. June Lake in the eastern Sierras was one of his favorite spots. He enjoyed hunting, fishing (both freshwater and deep-sea), and golfing. He was a rather quiet man, but he was compassionate about children and adored his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. His mother raised him in a Christian home and he remained faithful to his belief in Jesus Christ as his Savior.

John is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, who tirelessly cared for him until the end; his two daughters: Susan (and Alden) Metz of Oak View, California, and Cindy Brown of Downey California; four grandchildren; thirteen great-grandchildren; and his sister, Frances England of Seal Beach, California.

A memorial service will be held for family and friends on Monday, July 6, 2015, 3:00 p.m. at Rose Hills Memorial Chapel, Whittier, California, with Pastor Steve Shangraw of First Baptist Church of Downey officiating. Burial followed in Rose Hills Cemetery.