Carl Ross Langston

Carl Ross Langston, age 60, of Gulfport, MS, passed away on Wednesday, January 22, 2014 in Gulfport.
Ross was a native of Dunn, North Carolina, a graduate of Dunn High School class of 1971. He attended Atlantic Christian College, Wilson, N.C., and Campbell College at Buies Creek, N.C. where he played baseball.
A veteran of the United States Navy, he served from 1973 to 1978 and was the Senior Military Athletic Trainer at the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD,
He was preceded in death by his father, Lester Carl Langston, Jr.
He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Joanne Young Langston of Gulfport, MS; his mother, Evelyn Lucas Langston; a sister; Phyllis L. Turnage and her husband Chuck; a brother, Eddy Langston and his wife Bonita, all of North Carolina; his nieces and nephews; Carlton Turnage and his wife Katie, Elizabeth Pope and her husband Chad, Zachery Turnage, W. Ross Langston and his wife Niki, Dustin Phillips, and Heather Phillips; and seven great nieces and nephews.
He was employed at Gulf Coast Orthopaedic Clinic from 1978 to 2006 and Dr. George Salloum at Bienville Orthopedics from 2006-2013. His passion was serving as the head athletic trainer for Gulfport High School Admirals from 1978-2012.
He was a recognized leader in his field throughout his career. He received the Archibald Clinton Hewes Sports Medicine Award in 1983; was named an Outstanding Mississippian by the Jaycees in 1990; received the President's Award in 2001 and the Paul Wright Membership Award in 2002 from the Gulfport Gridiron Club. He received the 25 year award from the National Athletic Trainers Association in 1991; the Contribution to Amateur Football Award in 2002 by the Gulfport Chapter of the National Football Foundation. He was named the Mississippi Athletic Trainer of the year in 2005 by the Mississippi Athletic Trainers' Association. He was inducted into the Mississippi Coaches Hall of Fame in 2009. He is to be inducted into the Mississippi Athletic Trainers Hall of Fame this year. He was most proud of the establishment of the C. Ross Langston Sports Medicine Scholarship Fund in 1989 by his former employers, Drs. Hewes, Hopper, and Seidensticker which has created scholarship opportunities for numerous students to pursue studies in the sports medicine field.
He was a long time member of the Gulfport Gridiron Club. Professionally he had membership in the American Society of Orthopedic Physician Assistants, Mississippi Association of Coaches, National Athletic Trainers Association, Southeast Athletic Trainers Association, and the Mississippi Athletic Trainers Association. He also served on the Harrison County Emergency Medical Management Board from 1979 to 1984.
His hobbies included golf, talking and telling stories, and spending time with the many athletes and coaches of Gulfport High Admirals family.
Ross was most notably known for the love, compassion and unselfishness that he displayed for others. He was a man of strong and deep Christian faith. He had an extraordinary love of all pets, especially his dogs Bogey, Carly and Daisy.
His endless commitment to his work, athletes, patients and everyone he met was an example of his deep and abiding faith in Jesus Christ. He truly treated the 99th player as he did the first.
His greatest love was for his wife Joanne who shared with him in everything. They were truly best friends.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, January 26, 2014, at the Bert Jenkins Gulfport High School Gymnasium from 3:00-6:00 p.m. A procession will leave the Gym at 6:15 p.m. and go to Lindy Callahan Field at Milner Stadium where friends and family will meet for a time of remembrance.
A funeral service will be held on Monday, January 27, 2014, at 10:00 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of Gulfport, where friends may visit one hour prior.
Burial will follow at Biloxi National Cemetery with honors rendered by the U.S. Navy.
Memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Gulfport, 10885 O'Neal Road, Gulfport, MS 39503, or the Ross Langston Golf Tournament, benefitting local Coast athletes with scholarships, c/o Scott Belham, West Harrison High School.
RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 11280 Three Rivers Road, Gulfport, MS is serving the family. Please visit www.riemannfamily.com to offer condolences and memories.