James R. Langlas

James Reimers Langlas, 67, of Naples, FL passed away peacefully while surrounded by his family and friends on Monday, August 13, 2018. Born in Waterloo, Iowa on May 16,1951, he was the son of the late Reimers "Jim" Ludwig and Mary Kathryn Langlas.  Jim was a devoted husband to his college sweetheart and love of his life, Michelle, whom he married on June 14, 1975. They enjoyed 43 years of marriage. He was a loving father to Jack (Ellie) and Chelsea, and doting grandfather to Aidan and Maeve. He is also survived by his brother, Thomas Langlas and sister, Laurlie Joyce.

Jim graduated from West High School, Waterloo, Iowa in 1969 and received his BA in English and Physical Education as a double major in 1973 from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN. He received his Master of Arts in Teaching from Northwestern University in 1975 and his Ph.D. in English from Northern Illinois University in 1986.

He taught English at Wheaton-Warrenville School District 200 in Illinois for 34 years until his retirement in 2007.  He served as the English Department Chair and was a beloved teacher and member of that community.  For example, on numerous occasions, Jim was chosen by his students as the faculty commencement speaker for graduating seniors.  His dedication, enthusiasm and love provided inspiration to many students, encouraging and propelling them to lead successful lives.  Many of them maintained contacts with him long after graduation, seeking his advice in life or sharing their success stories.

Besides his caring and loving side, Jim also had a strong and determined side.  He was an accomplished 8th degree black belt, Grand Master, of Taekwondo, a form of Korean martial art.  He was introduced to this martial art by Jin Wook Choi, whom Jim and his family hosted as a foreign exchange student from Korea in 1967.  Jin Wook remains a member of the Langlas family and is known to many as Jim’s “Korean brother.”  Jim’s dedication and hard work made him a member of the prestigious U.S. Taekwondo Team and he won a gold medal in the International Taekwondo Federation World Championship in Montreal. With the help of his wife, Michelle, he founded Langlas Taekwondo in 1980 and Pathways for Achievement in 1996, which combined after-school-tutoring and community service with Taekwondo instruction. By the time he retired from Wheaton-Warrenville School District in 2007, he had taught and promoted several hundred Black Belt students, who are now residing across the United States.

After retiring from Wheaton-Warrenville, he and Michelle relocated to Naples, FL in 2007.  His love for teaching could not stop him from renewing his teaching career in 2008 as a professor of English at Florida Southwestern State College. He was an accomplished poet and writer who won many awards and published many works. He also authored and published a book titled, Heart of a Warrior, to guide and teach young people the way to self-discipline and self-control.

Jim was truly multi-talented.  He was a loving husband, caring father and grandfather, an enthusiastic teacher, a talented poet, and skilled martial artist. Most of all, anyone who knew Jim would say that he was a “Great Man” who cared for others before himself.  The State of Illinois bestowed upon him the Studs Terkel Humanities Service Award in 2005 to recognize and honor his love and care for others. As J. Jeffrey Calhoun wrote about Jim in his January/February 2018 ENcompass article, “Florida Southwestern State College is beyond lucky to have found such a tremendous educator…”  It’s not just Florida Southwestern, it’s all of us who knew Jim who are lucky and blessed. 

Jim had a great faith in Jesus Christ.  He was compassionate to everyone he encountered. His physical presence will be greatly missed; his spirit is all around us. 

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, August 21, 2018, at Saint Peter the Apostle Church, 5130 Rattlesnake Hammock Rd.  in Naples, FL, 34113.  Gathering to start at 9:30 a.m. Final committal is private.

In lieu of flowers, a Dr. James R. Langlas scholarship fund has been set up to help students who struggle financially, while meeting academic requirements. Donations for this fund can be made online at https://www.fsw.edu/foundation/givenow and simply write in the designation: “Dr. James Langlas Memorial.”  Any and all checks should be made payable to: “FSW Foundation.”  In the memo line of the check or in an enclosed note, the donor should write that this gift is designated for: “Dr. James Langlas Memorial.”  Please use the following address for mailing checks: 
Joseph Kramp
8099 College Parkway
Robinson Hall, I-124
Fort Myers, FL 33919
Gifts of stock or charitable IRA rollovers are also welcome.  Donors can also make gifts to FSW through their estate plan or will.  For any of these options or for any questions, please contact FSW Foundation at 239-489-9210.