Thomas Jay "TJ" Lange - Eulogy
Deceased 12 November 2011
Bruce Powell,
Pat Eastes,
Bob Taylor,
Paul Davidson,
Tom Fleming,
Willi Williams,
John Kelly,
Charlie Johnson
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Bruce Powell: TJ and I came into D Troop, in Vietnam, about the same time in early 1967. Him as a Private, me as a shavetail 2LT. I worked with him as his pilot and as his Gun Platoon leader for the good part of a year and a half in Nam. We departed as SP5 and Captain.
It breaks my heart that he has been taken from us. The personal bond we developed was through one of mutual respect and a little touch of wild ass spirit. I was so lucky, as a gun platoon leader, to have him as one of my crew chiefs. No one person in the unit, officer or enlisted had a better work ethic. No one loved and cared for his aircraft, ol' 462 gunship, more than TJ.
"Lange"; "I want Lange on this mission"; "Go see Lange about that". That's what we called him then, "Lange".
Oh the stories I would tell about him in later years; about this larger than life combat warrior and dedicated crew chief. No one did his job better or with more enthusiasm. I almost had to order him to take an R&R. He just couldn't leave his beloved 462 gunship.
But he did more than just take care of 462. His aircraft weaponry, normally the responsibility of the gunner, was always in top shape. He trained his gunners well. They answered to him. He came to me one time, almost livid, and yelled at me that this worthless, sorry ass, (fill in the words) gunner has to go! Now! ..I looked over at him, smiled and said "Your call Lange". I remember that from so long ago because he paused, probably realized that he had my full confidence and then managed a small smile himself.
Years later, after I realized how important it was to get back into contact with my combat brothers, I met up again with "TJ" at the 2010 Reunion in Tuscon, AZ. It was a joyous experience. TJ and several of us realized how important this getting back together was and began working on projects that would give this great joy to our other Centaur Brothers. He hadn't changed a bit, jumping in on this mission with both feet and that excitement generating personality of his. What would we have done without him in Vietnam; how can we go on without him now.
TJ worked close with me since that Reunion in Tucson on our unit legacy (Centaurs). Both with the Centaur Brothers DVD and the Centaur Society (a group dedicated to recording the Legacy). It might not have happened without the hundreds of photos he provided and his personal support.
I will never forget him.
Pat Eastes: I served with TJ in Vietnam; he was a crewchief on a Huey gunship, and I was a pilot. TJ was outwardly fearless in combat, and a consummate professional.
TJ Lange OWNED gunship 462. That beat up, shot up old Charlie model was his baby. Whenever any of us took hits in that aircraft, TJ was personally offended. When Doc and I almost got him killed, he wasn't as upset with his wounds as he was with all the holes in 462.
He was a great crewchief, and knew his way around an M60, as well. He got some stick time in 462, and actually did pretty well. I always felt confident that if both of the pilots got wounded to the extent that they couldn't fly, that TJ could climb up front and get us home.
After 40 plus years, we all got to see him in Tucson. He was very proud of his time as a Centaur, and rightfully so. After all the years between Tucson and Vietnam, it was the same old TJ; irascible, tough, and not one to take any crap from anybody.
This summer, I got to see TJ as a boat captain in Seward, Alaska. Once again, he OWNED his boat, the "Snowbird". You could tell that his crew thought very highly of him, for good reason. He took care of his crew and made sure that the clients got to catch their limit. He knew his area of the Alaska coast like the back of his hand, and the fish were in trouble when he was on the water.
He was my friend; he will be missed.
Robert "Bob" Taylor: Seeing TJ again at the reunion,45 years after leaving Vietnam, was very special. We loved our ships and laughed and cried on more than one occasion.
It was with much sadness that Maryanne and I attended T.J.'s viewing in Killeen, Texas. The floral arrangement sent by the Centaurs was beautiful and set in a prominent location in the room.
T.J.'s son looked "spent". It has been hard on all the family. The autopsy revealed major blockages (over
90%) in three arteries in his heart, and that is what ultimately caused the heart attack that took him. He also had been diagnosed with bladder cancer and was suffering from a severe blood disorder that prevented his blood from
coagulating properly. Doctors at the hospital called him a "ticking time bomb".
The four framed Vietnam pictures we brought were a huge hit. Both of T.J.'s brothers thought they were mine and that I was taking them back with me. When I told them "No, they are yours", they were very appreciative and went around showing them to everybody. A cousin, Greg, is an exec with Apple and asked if I could get him the digital copies of the pictures. I forwarded him the pictures both Bruce Powell and Pat Eastes had sent me. A copy of our Centaur DVD was on the coffee table, and both brothers remarked about how T.J. couldn't stop talking about the Centaur Society.
They had already made plans for two trips. One to New Jersey to visit his old aircraft 462 which is in a museum there, and second, they already had rooms for the upcoming Nashville reunion. I didn't get the feeling either brother would be inclined to go on either trip without T.J.
Maryanne and I left knowing that the legacy of the Centaurs is alive and respected in the Lange family.
God bless you and smile on you TJ.
Paul Davidson: T.J. and I served together in Vietnam as crew chiefs and door gunners on the same helicopter. It was great to see him at the Tuscon reunion and we had the chance to catch up on "old" times. I will miss his emails as well as sharing our storys.
Tom Fleming: The loss of T.J. is a painful loss for all who knew and loved him, particularly so for those who served with him in D/3/4 Cavalry. It was a great privilege to have known and served with him.
John "Willi" Williams: TJ was one of those people who touched your soul. He will not be forgotten.
John Kelly: I re-connected with TJ at the 3/4 CAV re-union in Tucson and it was like the 40 years since Viet-Nam just evaporated. He will be missed by me and all his Centaur brothers. Rest in Peace Ol' Warrior.
Charlie Johnson: TJ was a good man, a full speed ahead Cavalry Trooper and an excellent Crew Chief. His memory will be retained by his fellow Centaurs.