Daniel Gene Lange

Daniel Gene Lange was born April 24, 1945 in Terre Haute, Indiana to Freddie Gene Lange and Rosilee Elizabeth Brown Lange, and passed October 6, 2016 at his home in Prairie Grove, Ark. surrounded by family. He had eight brothers and sisters, Esther Lange Hill, Gail Marie, Gary Eugene Lange, Paul Hill, Vick Hill, Steve Hill, Eugene Wilson Lange and Hubert Marshall Lange. Dan was a proud veteran serving 21 years in the United States Air Force where he retired as an Air Traffic Controller at Eglin Air Force Base July 31, 1984. During his time in the Air Force Dan obtained his pilot's license and became a commercial aviator and flight instructor for American Eagle Airlines, retiring in 2005. Upon his retirement from commercial aviation he continued as an instructor for Flight Safety until he retired permanently from aviation in 2012. Dan learned the value of hard work on his father's farm and greatly enjoyed time spent working on projects in and around the house. Later in life Dan obtained quite the tool collection and enjoyed working on projects in his "man cave". His children remember his attention to detail and dedication to doing it right the first time. These values they hope to pass on to his grandchildren. More than anything Dan loved to laugh with family and friends and enjoyed the company, love and laughter spent at Potlucks and Karaoke in Texas. Dan is survived by his wife, Rhonda Cate Lange of the home; daughter, Rebecca Lange Taylor of Niceville, Fla.; son, Derek Jackson & wife, Andrea of Farmington, Ark.; son, Damon Jackson of Prairie Grove, Ark.; seven grandchildren, Alex, Collin, Jaxen, Olivia, Ava, Liam and Clare; Dan is also survived by 3 of his siblings, Gail Marie, Vick Hill and Steve Hill; mother-in-law Mary Ellen Cate of Springdale, Ark.; and many more loving relatives and a multitude of friends. Visitation will be Thursday, October 13, 2016 from 6-8 p.m. at Beard's Funeral Chapel in Fayetteville, Ark. Services will be the following day, Friday, October 14, 2016 at 12 noon at Beard's Funeral Chapel. Burial with full military honors to follow at the Fayetteville National Cemetery at 1 p.m. Memorials may be made to Circle of Life Hospice and the American Cancer Society. Condolences at www.beardsfuneralchapel.com.