Alvin Langford, 84, a retired USAF colonel, died Friday, July 17, 2015, in Abilene after a four-year battle with cancer. Funeral: 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road in Abilene with Steve Brooks of Aldersgate Methodist Church officiating. Visitation: 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, the family has requested consideration of donations to be made to the Salvation Army and the American Cancer Society in memory of Alvin.
Alvin was born in Fort Worth on Nov. 14, 1930. After graduating from Polytechnic High School in 1949, he attended Texas A&M College on a football scholarship and earned a bachelor of science degree. While at A&M, he married his high school sweetheart, the former Lora Kelly. Alvin earned his commission through ROTC in 1953 and entered active duty in the U.S. Air Force. He learned to fly while in college and continued to pursue his love for flying as he attended U.S. Air Force pilot training. Upon graduation, he became a member of the Strategic Air Command and flew the KB-29 air refueling aircraft until 1957 when he transitioned to the KC-135 Stratotanker. He was the squadron commander of the 46th Air Refueling Squadron at K.I. Sawyer AFB, Mich., and the base commander at Galena Air Force Station, Alaska. He played an important role in the Vietnam War where he flew vital KC-135 air refueling operations over Southeast Asia. In 1966 he was assigned as a forward air controller in Vietnam where he flew 260 combat missions. While in Vietnam he earned the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal for his courage and aerial skill while in harm's way.
Alvin was preceded in death by his parents, Elba and Leonard Langford, and his sister, Jeanette Lantrip. Survivors: Alvin is survived by his wife, Lora Langford of Abilene; his sister, Betty Slawson; sons, Larry, Mike, Greg, and Stephen; four granddaughters; six grandsons; and six great-grandchildren.
