Arthur Eugene “Gene” Langley of Winter Park passed away Saturday, December 31, 2022 at home after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. He was 88. A memorial service will be held at All Saints Episcopal Church, 388 E. Lyman Ave, Winter Park on January 19 at 3:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial gifts be made to the Central Florida Alzheimer’s & Dementia Resource Center. To make a memorial donation, go online to www.adrccares.org/donate.
One of four children, Gene was born in Lakeland, Florida to Hubert and Meriabe Langley on December 3, 1934. He attended Lakeland High School and shortly after graduation; the family moved to Groveland in Lake County and it was there he started his career in citrus by working for his father. In 1954, Gene enlisted in the U.S. Navy and just nine days before they discharged him, he suffered a devastating injury that caused him to stay in the Naval Hospital in Boston for over ten months.
He returned home to Lake County, Florida in 1958, where he married his first wife Marilyn Langley, and together had two sons, Mike and Scott. Gene knew his vocation was in citrus. He got his first job with Edwards Fruit Company. Just a few years later, at 25, he ventured on his own and started Langley Fruit Company, Inc., eventually becoming one of the largest harvesting, handling and caretaking operators in Lake County. At its peak, he owned and operated 2,000 acres of citrus groves in Lake County, and his caretaking business serviced over 4,000 acres for growers throughout the region.
Gene led his business through some of its darkest periods, the trio of severe freezes in the 1980s. He set out to diversify his citrus portfolio and formed a lifelong business partnership with the late Earl M. “Duke” Crittenden. In 1984, they acquired the oldest juice-processing plant in Florida, the Silver Springs Citrus Cooperative, in Howey-in-the-Hills, FL and grew it into a $200 million operation. The partners also shifted focus south. It was in Fort Pierce, FL where many say Gene set a state record by planting over 1.26 million citrus trees in less than a year. His hard work and determination paid off, eventually becoming one of the largest citrus growers in the state.
As a lifelong entrepreneur, Gene owned and operated many businesses, in particular Magna Cable Vision, which brought cable TV to southwest Orange County and he later ventured into building apartments and commercial properties in the area. Gene may be known as the quiet Real Estate Broker, but he certainly wasn’t shy about being a University of Florida Bull Gator for over 25 years.
Gene was a man of enduring faith and generosity. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Clermont where he served as deacon for many years. When he heard there were families in his neighborhood who missed Sunday service because they lacked transportation, Gene stepped up. He not only purchased the church van, but also was the volunteer driver each Sunday, along with his two sons. Gene also served on the board of Good Samaritan Mission Services for over 15 years, giving his steadfast support to a host of children’s charities around the world.
Many will remember Gene as an avid sports fan and golfer. His passion for golf was infectious to all of those around him, and he loved being on any course with friends and his wife, Mary. He enjoyed playing in the Wednesday and Friday Men’s Group at the Interlachen Country Club in Winter Park where he was best known for his colorful golf attire and his “Gene-isms”- storytelling to match any situation. He was a member of Bay Hill Country Club, Interlachen Country Club and Burlingame Country Club in North Carolina. Most who knew Gene regarded him as a larger-than-life figure known for his quick wit, contagious smile, unquestionable integrity and making friends no matter where he went.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Meriabe, his father Hubert, his brother James (Jimmy) Langley and his brother Richard (Dick) Langley. Gene is survived by his devoted wife of 28 years, Mary and by his sons Mike (Deborah) Langley of Clermont, FL and Scott (Sophia) Langley of Villanova, PA. He is also survived by his sister, Catherine L. “Micki” Blackburn (George) Nagel of Clermont, FL; his stepdaughters Amanda Day and Mary Stuart Day (Andre Vidrine) of Winter Park, FL; his grandchildren Jessica (Darren) Lowe, David (Brittany) Langley, Jake Langley, Isabella Langley, Colten Langley, Anika Vidrine; his four great-grandchildren, Nolan, Everett, Brooks, and Atlas Eugene, and by the mother of his children, Marilyn Langley of Winter Park, FL.
(Obituary featured in the Orlando Sentinel)
