Andrew Lang

Andrew Curtis Lang , 85 of Zanesville died in the early morning hours of February 25, 2026 at his home under the care of Genesis Hospice.

Born January 22, 1941 in Zanesville, Ohio, he was the son of Andrew L. Lang and Beatrice K. Robb Lang.

Andy graduated from Bishop Rosecrans High School in 1959 and went on to graduate from Ohio University with a degree in education. He was a devout Catholic and lifelong member of the St. Nicholas Catholic Church. On June 16, 1962, he married his high school sweetheart, Karen Arnold, and spent the next 61 years simultaneously testing the limits of her patience and worshipping the ground on which she walked, lovingly caring for her until the last days of her battle with dementia in 2023.

Andy and Karen purchased the rights to the concession stand at Northside Beach and, a few years later, entered a partnership with Pon Smith, to purchase the beach. After selling out of the partnership, he continued to work there until it closed in 1994.

He began his teaching career at Roseville Junior High and was an assistant high school football coach. He then moved on to teach at West Muskingum Middle School, where he also served as an assistant high school football coach for many years, including for the 1982 MVL championship team. He spent many of the following years as a statistician for the boys and girls high school basketball teams, as well as the football team. He also served as an advisor for the MathCounts team. He was inducted into both the Roseville Hall of Fame and West Muskingum Hall of Fame. After 35 years as an educator, Andy spent the next 25 years working in surveying with Pete Dinan, a time he cherished, as he was able to spend his days outdoors with his childhood friend, finally retiring at 82.

Andy was charismatic, magnetic, generous, humble, selfless, adventurous, hard-working, and always a little mischievous. He could certainly be competitive and stubborn, as evidenced by the infamous Ed/Eddie debate, so, if he verbally acknowledged that you were right after a disagreement, consider yourself among an elite group. He loved musicals, sports, a great book, and an old western. He played handball (even winning a few senior tournaments), tennis, and basketball. He thoroughly enjoyed his time outside and in his woodshop. He had backyard chickens before it was trendy. He had calloused hands, but was always ready to give a hug.

Ultimately, Andy’s greatest joy came from the time he spent with his family. He loved to attend the events of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He looked forward to their visits and calls. He had the ability to make any chore seem like a game for them, whether it was washing dishes or crushing pop cans. His last days were spent with his grandchildren reading the Bible to him, something that brought him great peace. To try to sum up the life of someone so extraordinary in a few paragraphs is impossible, but those of us that got the full Andy Lang experience will be forever grateful.

He leaves to cherish his memory his four children; Michael (Diana) Lang, Matthew (Amy) Lang, Marc Lang & Jordana Lang; his grandchildren, Kayla Lang, Andrea (Kevin) Angelo, Chelsey (Rothman) Driver, Kaitlan (Chris) Fleming, Austin (Susanna) Lang, Ashlan Lang, Morgan Lang, Patrick (Anna) Lang; Kaleigh (Cedric) Harris & Tyler Spragg; 20 great grandchildren; a brother, Mark (Cindy) Lang; two sisters, Barbara Petro & Kristy Hankinson; sisters-in-law, Billie Arnold, Theresa Arnold, Carol May, Kim Lang, many beloved nieces, nephews, and dear friends, including Dave Herron, Judy Wofter, Shannon Shelton and his Thursday night card club.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Karen Rose Arnold Lang; brother, Thomas Lang, sisters-in-law Romaine Arnold Joseph, Carol Norris Lang and Lu Arnold; brothers-in-law, Carl “Bub” Arnold, Dr. Eugene Arnold, Jerry Arnold, Jerrold May & Gary Hankinson; many dear friends including Pete Dinan, Pon Smith and Roger Boyer.

Visitation will be held from 3:00-7:00 p.m. on Thursday March 5, 2026 at the Bryan & Hardwick Funeral Home. Funeral mass will be celebrated 10:30 AM Friday March 6 at St. Nicholas Catholic Church with (Fr. Ralko) as celebrant. Burial will conclude at the Mt. Olive Cemetery.

The Bryan & Hardwick Funeral Home, 2318 Maple Ave. Zanesville is in charge of the arrangements. To share memories and condolences with Andy’s family please visit www.BryanHardwickFH.com.