JAMES MICHAEL LANG “MICHAEL”
October 1, 1964 — May 29, 2021
James Michael Lang “Michael” passed away on May 29, 2021, at this home in Lodi. He was born to Francis Lou Anne (Gibson) Lang and Gerhardt James Lang in Lodi, California, on Oct 1, 1964. Both parents preceded him in death. Michael was the youngest of two brothers, William Robert Lang, who passed away in 1986, and Darryl Edwin Lang (Katherine Lang) who currently resides in Lodi.
Michael is survived by his two daughters, Alexandra Lang and Audreana LangAntolin (Timothy Antolin) of Lodi; son, Christian Lang of Stockton; grandson, Oliver Antolin; and many aunts, uncles and cousins. He met the mother of both of his 2 daughters, Michelle Shellard (Steven Silva) in 1985 and they were married from 1990 until 2005.
Michael attended George Washington Elementary in Lodi, El Portel Elementary in Tracy, Lakewood Elementary in Lodi and Woodbridge Middle School in Woodbridge. He graduated from Lodi High in 1982, then attended San Joaquin Delta College in Stockton.
Michaels’ first job was a courtesy clerk and bagger at Sell Rite Market in Lodi, along with many of his childhood friends. It was the coolest place to work in town! He spoke often of the fun times, memories and, of course, all the antics that he and his buddies were so famous for! That must have been one understanding boss! He also owned a parttime woodworking business, Wood Pecker Originals, with a long time friend. He worked these jobs during high school and after he graduated until briefly working for Patterson Painting and for Service Electric in 1985. In 1986 he began work as a salesman for Geweke Auto in Lodi. He always enjoyed and excelled in woodworking and returned to the trades as a stair builder for BG&E Builders and Atherton Stairs in 1988 before obtaining his own contractors license and opening Jacobs Ladder, a stair building and finish trim company in Lodi, from 1990 through 1996. He left the trades in 1996 and joined the sales team at Chase Chevrolet in Stockton where he put that “gift of the gab” to work achieving rankings in the top sales level most of his career. Truly though, his success came from his genuine
interest and love of people. He worked there until 2003 at which time he retired due to an injury sustained in an automobile accident.
He was an active member of the Faith Community Church in Acampo from 2005 until present and was strong in his relationship with God and his faith. He was also a member of the Wolf Pack Car Club in Lodi.
Michael was a thrill seeker and was passionate about many things in his life. He loved art and was a talented cartoonist. He was an avid golfer and loved traveling, water and snow skiing, boating, snowboarding, skateboarding, surfing and the beach. In his youth and adulthood the road through HWY 17 to Santa Cruz was traveled often to get to Steamers Lane to surf down below the jagged cliffs in the “good waves” and also on HWY 101 to Mavericks in Half Moon Bay. Another favorite was up HWY 80 to Kirkwood and Boreal Ski resorts, always with friends and having a good ol’ time!
Michael was obsessed with old cars and owned many from his first car that his father, Whitey, rebuilt for him from top to bottom. A classic 1967 Chevy El Camino in midnight blue and, his pride and joy, a 1967 Buick Skylark were two of his favorites. He owned numerous other classic antique cars from his youth until his passing and enjoyed racing and rebuilding them.
Michael had many friends and was always the life of the party. He made friends easily with his quick wit, mischievous grin and friendly smile. Most of all, Michael was passionate about his family. He loved them dearly with all his heart and spent as much time with them as possible, often enjoying meals out together, BBQ’s, and also on family vacations and outings. When his daughters were young, he had great memories of taking them to amusement parks, such as Disneyland and Great America, watching them play sports, taking them snowboarding and surfing to Monterey, Mexico,
Hawaii, and many other favorite places. In 2019, he was beyond thrilled to become a grandfather to Oliver Antolin and rejoiced every minute spent with him, most recently making lasting memories and playing with him on the beach in Monterey. The last days of his life were very special as he was able to walk his daughter, Audrey, down the isle at her wedding and spend a glorious day with his family. His loss is felt by so many whose life he touched. His spirit will live on in the hearts of his friends, family, children and grandchild.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, July 24th, at 10:00 a.m. at Faith Community Church, 18621 N. Highway 99, Acampo, CA. The family has asked those attending to wear a New York Yankees’ shirt or something blue in remembrance of his beloved baseball team. Also, guests are welcome to bring a classic car for a small car show in the parking lot of the church.
Please sign the guest book at lodinews.com/guestbook.