Carroll G. Lorang, 92
Carroll Lorang, 92 of Bigfork, passed away peacefully at his home in Bigfork on April 18, 2024. Suffering a massive heart attack on July 30, 2021, he wasn’t expected to live the day. However, God had other plans and he was given a second chance of life under Logan Health Hospice care for nearly three more years. We would like to thank the Hospice and Angel Care Teams for their excellent and kind caregiving. Carroll leaves behind a legacy of faith, gratefulness, loving kindness and generosity to his family, friends and to all the lives he touched not only recently but throughout his life.
He was born on Dec. 24, 1931, in Lead, South Dakota, to parents George and Della Lorang. He was the oldest of four boys and graduated from Lead High School in 1951. Soon to be drafted into the Korean War he enlisted in the Air Force. Subsequently, he celebrated his 19th, 20th, and 21st birthdays in Japan. His first encounter with having his life spared was when he was slated to be transferred from Tachikawa Air Base to another base; he was pulled from the boarding line because he didn’t have a driver’s license. South Dakota back then didn’t require one. That plane soon crashed killing 130 young servicemen. Making the most of his time in Japan, he climbed Mt. Fuji, fished and made several train trips exploring Japan. After an early release from the service, he attended the University of Montana, graduating in science education in 1958. It was there that he met the love of his life, Sharon Leland from Miles City. They were married on Aug. 11, 1957, and celebrated 65 years of marriage.
Carroll was an avid outdoorsman enjoying ornithology, fly fishing, hunting fowl, wild game, and downhill skiing in Montana well into his sixties.
Carroll and Sharon moved to Great Falls in 1958 and began their teaching careers. He received his BS and master’s degree from the U of M in Missoula. After 35 years of teaching, he retired in 1993. Biology was his field and included all levels; general, advanced and AP. He was one of the first AP teachers in Montana and an AP reader for five years. Being recognized for his expertise in his field he was asked to teach workshops for other AP teachers in Montana, Idaho, Colorado, and Alaska. During his career, he was nominated twice for Montana Biology Teacher of the year. He was greatly admired by his students as well and they nominated him once for “Peach of the Year” at CMR High School. Carroll was an active member of Educational Associations; GFEA as an insurance negotiator, and MEA as a representative of the Teacher’s Retirement Association. Carroll was an active member of Faith Lutheran in Great Falls for 52 years, serving on council and other areas of ministry. Most recently he was a member of Bethany Lutheran in Bigfork. Faith was a vital part of his life and he was a great witness and follower of Jesus Christ.
Carroll had a strong work ethic starting in high school delivering the Lead Daily Call. During college summers he was a miner in the Homestake Gold Mine in Lead. In the late '60s during the summers he was a field botanist for the Forest Service identifying plants in the East Glacier area. In 1973 Carroll and Sharon purchased their cherry orchard at Yellow Bay on Flathead Lake. This became their summer jobs and ultimately running their own packing plant with the help of their son, Mark, selling cherries in Montana, South Dakota, and Chicago. They sold the orchard in 2019 and moved to Bigfork. Carroll was a humble man in spite of his academic and entrepreneurial accomplishments, but he was most proud of his family, his beloved wife, Sharon, who was always by his side; his son, Dr. Mark Lorang and wife Vicki, grandson Ian a doctor in residency in Rochester, Minnesota; and granddaughter Madeline, an attorney in Washington, D.C.
Carroll will be remembered as someone who always had a quick-witted response and a wealth of knowledge in many areas to share with those around him. He was a lifetime learner desiring to learn all he could as long as he lived. His favorite resources on various subjects were The Great Courses and Logos Bible, pursuing Hebrew for the past three years.
He is survived by his wife, Sharon; son, Mark (Vicki); grandson, Ian; and granddaughter, Madeline; brothers, Kenneth and Malcolm; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Della Lorang; and brother, Jerry.
Services will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 15, at Bethany Lutheran Church in Bigfork. Memorials may go to Flathead Audubon Society or Bethany Lutheran Church.