Eddie Solomon Langston Jr. was born on December 29, 1945, in Dunn, North

Carolina, to the union of Eddie Solomon Langston Sr. and Lennie Marie Cogdell,

both deceased. He was the youngest of two children from this union.

After completing his education at Johnston County Training School, he entered

the Air Force as a Military Police officer, serving in Thailand and the Philippines

during the Vietnam War. Eddie began his career in the private sector with IBM

in 1969 and remained there until his retirement in 2002. During his time with

Big Blue, he received many Corporate Awards for Excellence and Outstanding

Achievement.

Eddie had an infectious smile that captivated everyone from the start. He loved

life, and one of his favorite times of the year was basketball season. That was the

only time the house had to be quiet. He was the best couch coach and called

plays as if he were on the court. He also played in the IBM basketball and

softball leagues. Eddie loved football as well and often teased his sister about

their teams.

Eddie was a Bid Whist shark with unbeatable skills and loved explaining the

game to anyone new. He also loved his baseball caps and was meticulous about

matching them with whatever he wore. He was a bright light in a sometimes

dark world.

Eddie was preceded in death by his sisters Lahoma and Lula Langston, and his

son, Eddie Solomon Langston III.

Eddie leaves to cherish his memory his sister, Marie A. Hunter; brother-in-law,

Gerald; nephew, Craig; son, David; daughter-in-law, Priscilla; and daughters,

Sonia Beverly, Wendi Langston, and Renee Clark. He also leaves to cherish his

memory his sister, Brenda Malloy, and his brothers Edward, Patrick, Martin,

Carlus Langston, and Earl Perkins. He leaves seventeen loving grandchildren,

twelve great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces and nephews.

We will all miss him deeply. Our father’s love has made the weak strong, the

timid bold, and the unknown great.