Donnell Langston, 76, died on Jan. 13, 2026. He was born on Sept. 23, 1949 in Memphis, Tennessee to the late Fred and Alzie Langston (nee Fields). Fred relocated his wife, son Donnie, and daughter Gerrie to Chicago in the early 1950s. The family settled on the West Side of Chicago.
Donnell attended William Penn Elementary School and graduated eighth grade at Daniel Webster Elementary. He learned his love for track by racing his father at an early age. He participated in Chicago’s Park District programs at Franklin Park and learned to swim by trial and error, but eventually became a very good swimmer. However, his passion was track and field. He developed his early running skills and techniques under Jane Dickens. When he started at John Marshall High School, he was prepared and well equipped to join Marshall’s team. By his senior year of high school he was a standout in the 100 yard/meter dash and the 880 relay team. Through his talent and hard work, he earned a track scholarship to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 1968.
Donnell and a fellow Marshall Commando and Mercurian track star, Harry Booker, were both awarded scholarships in combination with the U of I’s 1968 Project 500 Education Opportunity Program. At Illinois, Donnell participated in the sprint events as well as the Long Jump and Triple Jump. He met shot putter and discus thrower, Hershel Benberry, who became a “big brother” and mentor until Hershel passed in 2011. Don remained in contact with several U of I track colleagues throughout the years. All were proud to be Big Ten athletes. He also met many lifelong friends through the Project 500 program.
He met his wife Katie at Marshall High in an Algebra class in 1966. They married on Sept. 3, 1971. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education and a master’s degree in Therapeutic Recreation. He pursued his PhD at the University of Illinois, passed his Preliminary Exam in early 1981, and took his first faculty position at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond in fall 1981.
The Langston Family of Don, Kay & Kevin, returned to the Chicago area in 1984. Their second son, William Kyle, was born the following year. Donnell initially took a position with George Williams College and later look a management position at Schwab Rehabilitation Hospital on the West Side of Chicago. He retired from Schwab and became an entrepreneur, following in his father’s footsteps, in the trucking industry.
In 2001, he gave his life to Christ and was baptized and joined Living Word Christian Center in Forest Park. In 2009, he suffered renal failure and began dialysis treatments. Despite his three-days-a-week treatment schedule, he remained very active. The family traveled extensively across America and the Caribbean. He loved to do home improvement projects, including gardening and was extremely proud of his backyard flower gardens. He was an excellent cook and a master on the grill. He was most proud of his work as a mentor and dissertation coach for Dr. Joi Lynn Mondisa (Purdue University), and Dr. Bradley P. Wooten (University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign).
Before passing, he and Katie relocated to Champaign to support their youngest son, William, through his doctoral preliminary exam. Donnell lived a very full and enjoyable life.
He is survived by Kathleen (aka Katie and Kay), his wife of 54 years; his sons, Kevin (Jawani) and William (Sheldena); eight grandchildren, Julian, Jasmine, Jada, Justin, William II, Cameron, Nicole and Alivia; two brothers, DonEllis (aka Eugene) and Glen; and one sister, Sharon Johnson. He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Alzie Langston; his sisters, Shirlene McKnight, Geraldine “Gerrie” Joyner, and Jacqueline Langston; and his niece, Rhea Taunia Brown.
Although hospitalized, Donnell was vibrant until the very end, giving instructions to his wife, Katie, and his sons. His instructions were, “Just do it. Get it done!” Take care of your health, and for the sons, grow your business and finish your doctorate. Poppa Don’s earthly life came to a close with Katie at his side, holding his hand.