Michael “Mike” Roy Langford
October 29, 1951 – June 23, 2019
Michael Roy Langford, passed away at his home on Sunday, June 23, 2019. He was 67 years old.
In 1969, Mike began working as a radio DJ at KISD in downtown Sioux Falls under the pseudonym “Chuck Michaels,” later changing to “Charlie Michaels” on KXRB. During this time, Mike welcomed his first son, Mike Jr. into the world in 1973.
He continued his 50-year radio career, working his way up to his final position as Director of Engineering for Results Radio, managing eight local radio stations and numerous transmitter sites. In addition to his radio career, he owned and operated Robo Car Wash with the help of his head bookkeeper, Rebecca Heidinger, friend Jon Schnider, and a host of other dedicated colleagues. Mike later added a Starting and Towing business into the fold.
On August 31, 1980, Mike was united in marriage to Rebecca Heidinger in Sioux Falls. The couple resided in the home where they would spend the next 39 years together. They welcomed their son, Christopher, in 1982, and daughter, Ashley, in 1987.
Mike had an extreme love for Lake Lida in Otter Tail County, MN, where he spent several weeks each summer since birth. His parents, Roy and Jane, started vacationing there after World War II, which has led to a four-generation family tradition that endures to this day. He loved sharing boat rides and taking friends and family tubing and skiing with his majestic, now incredibly vintage, sparkly-orange Glastron boat.
Of all the things Mike loved, his grandchildren were at the top of his list. Mike would say that the birth of his first grandchild, Bailey, forever changed the worldly perspective he once held. Mike was so proud to be blessed with four grandchildren whom he loved spending time with. He enjoyed sharing his love of music with them, often taking Bailey to ‘play’ radio and make CDs at the station; taking them to Thunder Road, Drive-In movies, and to B&G Milky Way. ‘Papa Mike’ loved watching Nolan play baseball, laughing with Vivian on speaker phone, and watching Henry crawl for the first time just a day before his passing.
Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Becky; sons, Mike Jr. and Christopher (Lisa); daughter, Ashley Kemmis (Kristopher); four grandchildren: Bailey, Nolan, Vivian, and Henry; “brother” of 39 years, Jon Schnider; mother-in-law, Betty Heidinger; and a host of other family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Jane Langford; an infant sister, Karen; and his father-in-law, Don Heidinger.
Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 AM, this Friday, June 28th, at Christ the King Catholic Church, 1501 W. 26th Street. The family will be present for visitation from 5:00-7:00 PM on Thursday, June 27th, at Miller Funeral Home, 507 S. Main Avenue, Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
