Fred R. Langley, 86, passed away at his home after a period of ill health. Services will be held today (6/22/23) at 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Knoxville, officiated by Doug Banister and including music by Bill Gaither, Con Hunley and Beverly Kerr. A reception and receiving of friends will follow in the fellowship hall.
Mr. Langley was a quintessential businessman, involved with his friends in various undertakings. He served on the board of directors of United American Bank, in support of his friend Jake Butcher. He opened mobile home retail centers on Clinton Highway in competition with his friend Jim Clayton. (He closed two of his five centers and sold three to Clayton, Jim recalls.)
Every time Clayton mentions Langley in his autobiography, he pairs his name with “creative” or “creativity.”
In his obituary, the family wrote that Fred grew up on a small cattle farm in Oakdale, Tennessee, where he learned the value of hard work and good trades. He considered business his favorite hobby. And he played it well.
R.I.P. Fred Langley