Obituary of Otha Lang

Otha O. Lang Dr. Otha O. Lang made his transitioned on March 28, 2009 at St. Joseph's Hospital. He was 61 years old. Dr. Lang was the proud husband of Shirley J. Evans-Lang and father of Tarrah Trout and Tracy Lang. In 1968, Dr. Lang earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in English from Jackson State University in Jackson, Mississippi. In 1971, he earned a Master of Arts in Degree in English from Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland. In addition, in 1987, he earned a Doctor of Education Degree in Educational Administration from the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana. He began his career in 1968 as an English teacher for the Joliet Township High Schools, East Campus. He also served as English Department Chairperson at Washington Junior High School in the Joliet Public Schools. In 1973, he became Dean of Students at Dirksen Junior High School. At the beginning of the 1974-1975 school year, Dr. Lang joined the West Aurora School District as the first African-American administrator. He served as Assistant Principal at Franklin Middle School and Washington Middle School, respectively. In 1980, he was named Principal of Nancy Hill Elementary School where he remained for seven years. In 1987, he became Principal of Washington Middle School. In 1988, Dr. Lang was recruited to the Valley View School District where he was once again the pioneer by being the first African-American to be appointed to an administrative position. He served as Principal of Jane Addams Middle School in the Valley View School District. Dr. Lang was a member of the Board of Education for the Troy School District for nine years. In 1991-2001, he served the Troy School Community as President of the Board. Fraternally, he was a member of Phi Delta Kappa and Alpha Phi Alpha, Fraternity, Inc. Being a multi-talented educator, Dr. Lang expanded his leadership beyond the principalship of Jane Adams Middle School. He was an Adjunct professor at Governors State University and an Associate Professor of Educational Administration at Aurora University. In lieu of flowers, memorials will go to Jane Adams Middle School Marching Band, 905 Lily Cache Lane, Bolingbrook , Illinois 60440 (630-759-7200) and/or Boys and Girls Club of Kosciusko-Attala County 500 Knox Rd. Kosciusko, Mississippi 39090 (662-289-4252). Visitation will be held Thursday, 2:00 pm -5:00 pm at Fred C. Dames Funeral Homes, 3200 Black at Essington Roads, Joliet , Illinois 60431. Funeral Services at 7:00 pm, Browns Chapel AME Church, 1502 Mills Rd. Joliet , Illinois 60433. Following local services, Dr. Lang will be transferred to the Myricks Funeral Home in Kosciusko, MS for services and final interment. Arrangements by: FRED C. DAMES FUNERAL HOME 3200 Black at Essington Rds., Joliet For information: (815) 741-5500