Harold Arthur "Art" Langer

Harold Arthur “Art” Langer, age 80, of Aurora, Colorado, passed away peacefully at his home on May 10, 2025. Art was a devoted husband, loving father, and faithful follower of Jesus Christ. He was born on September 18, 1944, in Seattle, Washington, to Warren and Maryanna Langer. Art’s early years were marked by frequent moves and rich cultural experiences, from Troutdale, Oregon to Fresno, California, and then to Mérida, Mexico, where he studied by correspondence, participated in Scouts, and played trumpet in the school band. He later attended boarding school in South Dakota before finishing high school in Hayward, California, after his family settled there during his junior year.

He met the love of his life, Gloria, at Seattle Pacific University in 1962, where their deep faith and mutual interest in math and physics brought them together, though not without a little friendly competition. They were engaged in 1964, wed in 1966 in Olympia, Washington, and enjoyed 58 years of marriage together. Throughout their time together, Art and Gloria built a life marked by family, faith, and service to their church communities.

Art earned his bachelor’s degree in math and physics from Seattle Pacific University and later completed a master’s in physics from the University of Southern California. During graduate school, Art interned at Hughes Aircraft Company in Los Angeles and later accepted a full-time position there, marking the start of a long and accomplished career in aerospace engineering. In 1978, Art transferred from Hughes Aircraft in Los Angeles to Colorado, which would later become Raytheon. He retired from Raytheon in 1999 but continued to work as a contractor, first with Northrop Grumman (which brought him back and forth between Colorado and Los Angeles) and later with a NASA-affiliated organization, ASRC, in Las Cruces, New Mexico. His primary work in aerospace engineering focused on satellites and satellite ground stations and also included working on the surveyor mission to the moon. He participated in many other entrepreneurial ventures, in particular, a mobile home rental and property management business.

Art had a deep love for God and a heart for supporting others. He and Gloria were actively involved in church life, especially at Marina Free Methodist Church in Marina Del Rey, California and Meadowood Free Methodist Church in Aurora, Colorado. Their involvement started early within their marriage, with Art and Gloria leading the youth group and establishing the music programs within their church, and later carrying their passion for service to Colorado when they moved. At Meadowood, Art played a key role in helping to establish the preschool, actively participated in board meetings, was a hymn worship director and supported Gloria in planning and directing musicals and choir performances. Whether through leadership, youth group involvement, teaching, choir, or simply showing up faithfully, they shaped and supported their church communities with energy, devotion, and frequently Art’s signature sense of humor.

He was passionate about supporting missionary work and spreading the message of Christ around the world. He regularly maintained contact with global missionaries and family members whom he supported financially and through prayer. Art had a lifelong interest in ham radio, from his teenage years through the end of his life. He was steadily working toward contacting operators in all 50 U.S. states and beyond. Their roof and yard are adorned with antennas, and their walls display awards for successfully connecting with people across the country and around the globe.

Art cherished time with his wife, 5 children, 21 grandchildren, and 3 great-granddaughters, whether relaxing at home or setting off on memorable adventures. Favorite family vacations included annual trips to Lake Powell and Vail, a trip to Costa Rica, and camping trips to their trailer in Fairplay. Between travels, Art loved playing the organ alongside Gloria and singing hymns to share with their family, a tradition that reflected both their faith and deep bond. And through it all, his humor remained ever-present. Art delighted in interjecting humor into conversation and was especially fond of crafting personalized limericks for family and friends. His wordplay, warmth, and wisdom made those around him feel accepted, loved, and always just a little more cheerful.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Gloria; his five children: Dan (Carol), Christopher (Megan), Brian (Lindsey), Jennifer (Steve), and Michelle (Jake); his many grandchildren: Tyler, Emerson, Samuel, Maren, Ava, Levi, Charles, Drake (Makenzi), Preston, Raymond, Brent (Anna), Kaeleen, Griffen, Joy, Milly, Leo, Bladen, Logan, Arabella, Ezra, and Calina; and his great grandchildren: Lany Betty, Allie Art, and Billie Rose. He is also survived by his older brother, Lynwood Langer (Joyce), and younger brother, Jonathan Langer (Karla), as well as sister-in-law Charlotte O’Brien (Greg) and brother-in-law Douglas Deckert (Charlotte). He was preceded in death by his parents, Warren and Maryanna Langer, and sister-in-law Celeste Langer.

A celebration of Art’s life will be held on June 20, 2025, at Southside Bible Church, 7050 S. Tucson Way, Centennial, CO 80112. Visitation starts at 1 pm with the memorial service at 2 pm and reception to follow. His family rejoices in knowing he is now at peace in the presence of his Savior and enjoying the fullness of the joy he lived out here on earth.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Answers in Genesis or Jerusalem Prayer Team.