John Philip Lang (December 3, 1955 – October 27, 2020) John Phillip Lang was born on December 3, 1955, near Cheyenne, Wyoming, to Emmanuel (Rocky) and Shirley (nee Reiner) Schneidmiller. He and his older sister, Ellen Elizabeth, were later adopted (final August 6, 1957) and raised by Ralph and Felicia Lang, who brought them to their home in Fresno, California, and had them baptized into the Roman Catholic Church. Following his graduation from De Wolf High School, John lived in various parts of California for most of his adulthood. He worked in many capacities—welder, machinist, heavy equipment operator, mechanic, cook, stockyard hand, and more. John was talented musically and artistically, eventually expressing himself primarily through visual arts when time and circumstances allowed, doing many portraits for friends and winning ribbons in art shows. John loved kids and fiercely protected and defended any in his care, in particular Courtney and Nicci, to whom he still referred as his “baby girls.” He loved dogs, cats, all things nature, and his Harley Davidson bike. When he rode that bike, with the wind in his face, he felt free. Life first wounded and then challenged John, who took his own recovery seriously and was proud to claim 34 years clean and sober, one day at a time. In gratitude, he was committed to paying it back by helping others, who had travelled similar paths, find their own recovery. He wasn’t afraid to tell it to a person straight when they needed it. In this capacity he has helped and inspired many, many people over the years. The teachings of the Zen Master, Thich Nhat Hanh, and wisdom/healing teachings from Native America supported John’s commitment to the practical program established by Bob Smith and Bill W. (Friends of Bill) that helped him find his way and take responsibility for his life. After two years in San Francisco undergoing and recovering from a major life-saving procedure, John moved to the home of his sister, Ellen and brother-in-law, Larry, in Poulsbo, WA, and underwent several medical procedures to support his goal of independence. In January 2020 he achieved another step toward that goal by renting a travel trailer on the property of his friends, Mary and Dana. Over the last five years he took pleasure in gardening and had a knack for coaxing the most stressed plants to life. He was recognized by Mary Ann at Horse Harbor Foundation for having “a way with horses” during volunteer hours there. He was busy planning restoration of his 1954 Harley with Ricky and Sheila. Above all, what gave him great purpose in life was speaking, coaching, mentoring, inspiring, and helping others travel their own good roads in serenity, courage, and wisdom. John is survived by his sister, Ellen Elizabeth Mae; nephew Isaac Marshall and his son, great-nephew Jace Marshall; his niece, Jessyca Marshall-Ochoa, and her sons, great-nephews Riley and Sebastian, her daughters, great-nieces, Izabelle and Sofia (born on Great-Uncle John’s birthday), and great-great nieces, Ramona and Alita. He is also survived by his “baby girls,” Courtney Landaverde, and Nicci Phillips (whom he helped raise for a time) and their children; his adoptive mother, Felicia Lang and extended family, a clan of cousins, several close friends, and many who have only known him since his arrival in Poulsbo. Unchurched, John followed a humble path that embraces the broken and wounded people, the orphans, the misfits and castaways, and the wounded healers. He remained committed to his own self-improvement until the end. What is redemption, but the humbled surrender of battered and broken egos to Our Healer who meets us at every need and every faltering step to Wholeness, one moment at a time. In the fire of Healing Embrace, our golden light flickers, then burns as a light for all whose eyes have been opened to see. Travel on, John, travel on. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to your local AA recovery programs (especially prison outreach), local food banks, programs for persons without permanent addresses (aka, “homeless”), and foundations that assist the healing of humans through contact with animals. Contacts in the Poulsbo area: Horse Harbor Foundation (PO Box 98383, Poulsbo, WA 98370) (http://horseharbor.org/); North Kitsap Fishline (PO Box 1517, Poulsbo, WA 98370) (http://fishlinehelps.org/); and www.weldseattle.org, an organization for prisoners and those in recovery to transition into stable, productive lives. Written by: Ellen Elizabeth Mae Finished 11 November 2020