Lyle Barton Lang

Lyle was born June 24, 1937 in Emporia Kansas, and entered Heaven May 31, 2025, Visalia CA. Lyle was the middle of five children born to Raymond and Mildred Lang. He joined older brothers Bobby and Don, and later the family welcomed Paul and Barbara. The economic issues of the era led the family to move to Montebello CA when Lyle was six months of age, and then again to Biggs CA when he was seven years. In his mid-teens the Langs moved to Citrus Heights CA where Lyle attended San Juan High School. In Art class he noticed a cute fellow student, and from then on Lyle and Dawn Banta were inseparable. Lyle joined the US Marine Corp in June 1956, stationed in San Diego. After Dawn's graduation, Lyle and Dawn married at The Park Wedding Chapel in Reno NV, July 21, 1957. The young couple relocated to Camp Pendleton Marine Corp Base in Oceanside CA and in January 1959 welcomed their first child, Bart. Not wanting to be separated from his young family, Sergeant Lang turned down an assignment to Quantico VA, and was honorably discharged from the Marines in 1959. The family of three moved back to the Sacramento area and Lyle worked for AeroJet General. Beginning as a stock clerk, he was promoted to material control, procuring materials to build the Saturn engines that powered the Apollo missions. The family grew with the addition of Renea in June 1965. Once it became apparent Renea had special needs, the Langs searched California and found excellent opportunities for her in the Central Valley. In 1969 Lyle took a job with Brady Homes as a sales rep, with a huge region that stretched from Sacramento to Los Angeles and from Reno to the Central Coast. He sold outdoor power equipment for golf courses, schools and the like. A perk was the chance to try out the equipment, including snowmobiles, and gave Bart the opportunity to rototill the entire yard. Lyle's sales skills earned the couple amazing trips, including to France, Spain, Switzerland, Jamaica and North Africa. When Brady Homes changed hands, Lyle turned down a relocation to Sacramento and took a short-term position for his friend Barry at The Washing Machine Man, the company that became RTO Rents. In 1981 Lyle and Bart opened Arenco Appliance Rentals and Silver Screen Video. The business grew to four locations, and our families thoroughly enjoyed the magic of VCRs and VHS tapes. Lyle hung up his appliance tool belt in 2005 to devote his spare time to his other love; Graham Brothers automobiles. He had purchased a 1941 Hollywood Graham in 1990 and his love for the car brand and fellow Graham Club members grew each year. Dawn and Lyle were active members and attended the twice-yearly meets, making wonderful friends. Lyle was infamous for the sandwich board he wore to auto part swap meets: 'Wanted, Graham Parts'. Many parts and entire cars were discovered via that sandwich board. Lyle was highly creative and had a mind that liked to solve puzzles. From his father Ray and maternal grandfather James he learned woodworking skills, which he put to work nights and weekends remodeling a 900 sq ft house in Orangevale into their 2600 sq ft family home. He built a wooden inboard/outboard ski boat, and owned a Cessna 175 four-seater airplane, piloting his family to points of interest. Lyle was proudest of his family. He and Dawn provided a great life for Bart and Renea. Bart and Amanda gave Lyle three of his favorite people; Jennifer, Blake and Meredith. They in turn produced his other favorite people, his nine great-grandchildren; Tristan, Aleece, Mason, Maddox, Cameron, Aubrey, James, Graham and Olivia. Renea's needs kept Dawn and Lyle busy for sixty years. They were active participants in Special Olympics, the Chicken Ball, Happy Trails Riding Academy, and created Visalia's Finest Bowling League. They were avid supporters of Renea's schools, including Maple Melody Learning Center and The Creative Center. Lifelong friends were made through these programs. They were passionate about animal rescue, adopting disabled cats and footing vet bills. A family favorite was Winky, the one-eyed wonder cat. Their loving hearts brought two bonus special-needs daughters into the family a decade ago. Lyle passed seven weeks before the loss of Renea, which would have broken his heart. He is deeply missed by Dawn, Aleli and Ellie, Bart and Amanda, Jennifer and Chris, Blake and Kelly, Meredith and Anthony, and all nine grandkiddos. To celebrate a life well lived, please join us for an open house, September 6 2025, 5-8 pm, hosted by Bart and family. Lyle and Dawn are faithful supporters of Gabby's Animal Rescue. In lieu of flowers, any donations will be gratefully accepted at 5920 W. Caldwell Ave, Visalia, California 93277 Services have been entrusted to Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel. Memorial Tributes and condolences may be offered by logging onto www.salseranddillard.com.

Lyle Barton Lang

June 24, 1937 - May 31, 2025