Gerald 'Jerry' Thomas Lang
Gerald “Jerry” Thomas Lang, 60, of White River, S.D., formerly of Butler, passed away Sunday at Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. He was born April 3, 1952, in Butler.
Jerry was preceded in death by his father, Frank Thomas Lang; his aunt and godmother, Florinda F. Lang; and his stepfather, Richard J. Kelly.
He earned a master of science degree in biology in 2001 and a master of arts in social science in anthropology in 2012 from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. Jerry previously earned a bachelor of arts in natural science from La Roche College in 1975.
He accepted a position at Sinte Gleska University in August 2009 as an assistant professor of biology/environmental science. Jerry taught environmental science courses and helped manage student interns and research in ethnobotany and zoology.
He enjoyed many associations as a resident and researcher for the Seneca Nation before moving to the prairies of South Dakota. Jerry's new Lakota friends offered a chance to learn about prairie environs and human adaptations that are world renown. In 2005 through 2008, he performed a collaborative research program of freshwater mussels in the upper watersheds of Pennsylvania and western New York for the Nature Conservancy.
From 2006 through 2009, Jerry taught at Butler County Community College. He performed research for the Smithsonian's Marine Systems Laboratory which designed and emplaced the marine coral reef and Everglades-type estuary environs for Biosphere II in the Arizona desert.
Jerry enjoyed singing during local karaoke nights or playing jazz trombone. He enjoyed sci-fi films, books and outdoor activities such as hunting, canoeing, fishing and photography. Jerry considered his greatest asset to be a well developed social and environmental conscience.
Jerry is survived by his son, Brian Thomas Lang; daughter, Lori S. (Sean) Clarkson; mother, Rita R. Gaus Kelly; sisters, Gretchen L. (Richard) Petrarca and Margy Lang; grandchildren, Kelsey, Colton and Connor Clarkson; and nephews, Nick and Jordan Petrarca.
LANG — Gerald “Jerry” Thomas Lang passed away Sunday, Jan. 27, 2013. A memorial Mass will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013, at St. Fidelis Catholic Church, 125 Buttercup Road, Butler.In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Sinte Gleska University, P.O. Box 105, Mission, SD 57555.Arrangements have been entrusted to Newcomer Funeral Home, Northeast Chapel, 3047 E. Dublin-Granville Road, Columbus, Ohio. To leave a special message for the family, please visit www.NewcomerColumbus.com.
