Randolph Rea "Pete" Lang, Sr.

Randolph Rea “Pete” Lang, Sr., 95, of Waynesboro, passed away Sunday, December 10, 2017, at Augusta Nursing and Rehab Center, Fishersville.  He was born August 30, 1922, “Belmont”, Charlottesville, Virginia to the late Ethel Gianniny Lang and Lewis Lang.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his brothers, Ralph and Everett “Booty” Lang; his sisters, Polly Mahanes and Florence Fitzgerald; his first wife, Sarah Bibb Lang and daughter-in-law, Melissa Mabry Lang. He is survived by a brother, Hunter (Betsy) Lang and a sister, Coty Lang of Charlottesville.

In addition to his two siblings he is survived by his wife of 39 years, Cathy; their two children, Wade Daves and Mary Lisa (Daves) Lang; Pete’s daughters, Sharalyn (Russell) Midgett, Gayle (Jerry) Biggers, Donna Leigh (Delp) Givens; his son, Randolph R. (Bucky) Lang, Jr.; nine grandchildren, Matt Lang, Taylor Batten, Jesse Biggers, Eric Lang, Dr. Austen Givens, Dr. Jon Biggers, Chandler Randolph Givens, Cali Hammer and Kaitlee Daves; one great-grandchild and two great-great-grandchildren. He leaves behind his four-legged family, Princess, Kalua and Cora.

Pete was an All-State football player at Lane High School, Charlottesville.  He enlisted in the Army in 1941 for World War II service. He was forward observer tank commander serving under General George Patton. He was in the second wave at D-Day and in five major battles during WWII.  He was awarded several medals, including The Purple Heart, Croix De Guerre, American Theater Ribbon, European, African, Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon, World War II Victory Ribbon, and the Gallantry in action and Heroic Meritorious Achievement Award.

After WWII, he studied Art at UVA’s Jefferson School of Commerce where he studied Commercial Art and Architectural Design. He moved to Ft. Pierce, Florida where he attended the PGA School to become a PGA Pro. He then moved to Waynesboro to become a PGA Pro at Waynesboro Country Club. Pete also worked as a Draftsman at DuPont.

In 1955 he purchased ten of the original holes at the old Swannanoa Country Club, on top of Afton Mountain.  After opening Swannanoa Country Club, he built eight more holes to make it an 18-hole golf course. He built the second ski slope in Virginia on the 13th hole overlooking the Shenandoah Valley. He then designed, built and operated the Holiday Inn Skating Rink at Afton.

In 1973 he opened and operated the Captain’s Table Fresh Seafood Restaurant on the east slope of Afton Mountain for 19 years.  Pete played the drums in dance bands for 30 years. Pete was working and teaching golf at his golf course until he was in his 90s. For more of Pete’s story please Google the Daily Progress Pete Lang.

He sincerely loved his family and friends and he never met a stranger.

“We will always love you “Pro” and will miss you forever.”

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, December 16, 2017 at West Waynesboro Church of Christ, 2212 Cortland Street, Waynesboro, conducted by Pastor Chad Grondin. Burial with Military Honors will be in Augusta Memorial Park, Waynesboro. Serving as Pallbearers will be Pete’s grandchildren and the employees of Swannanoa Golf Course.

The family will receive friends on Friday, December 15th from 6:00-8:00 PM, at the Charlton and Groome Funeral Home, 619 Lifecore Drive, Fishersville.

Those who wish may make contributions to the Augusta Health-Hospice of the Shenandoah, in care of the Augusta Health Foundation, PO Box 215, Fishersville, VA 22939 or the Wildlife Center, PO Box 1557, Waynesboro, VA 22908.

Family and friends may share memories and condolences at www.charltonandgroomefuneralhomecom.

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