Edward "Ed" Michael Langham

August 4, 1953 – July 5, 2026

Edward “Ed” Michael Langham, 72, passed away on July 5, 2026. A beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, coach, and educator, Ed will be remembered for his devotion to family, his lifelong friendships, the generations of students and athletes he mentored, and the northern Wisconsin land he loved.

Ed was born on August 4, 1953, in Rice Lake, Wisconsin, to Roger and Marie Langham. He grew up on a farm in Stone Lake, Wisconsin, where milking cows and daily chores alongside his six siblings taught him the value of hard work. A gifted athlete, Ed attended Birchwood High School, where he excelled in football, basketball, and baseball. After graduating in 1971, he earned a scholarship to play football at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, then transferred to UW–Superior to continue his football career. He earned athletic honors before graduating in 1975 with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education, Science, and Health, with a minor in Coaching. Later, deepening his commitment to supporting young people both on and off the field, he earned his Master’s degree in Guidance Counseling from UW–Superior.

Ed dedicated his professional life to the Clayton School District, beginning in 1975 as a physical education and biology teacher and coach and later serving as Director of Student Services until his retirement in 2014. Sports and coaching became one of his greatest joys. At Clayton, he worked tirelessly to build strong football and basketball programs, finding deep fulfillment in coaching students from elementary school through high school, including all three of his children. He cherished coaching basketball with his daughter, Alison, and also coached his grandkids outside the Clayton school program. Over the decades, he mentored hundreds of young athletes, led numerous successful teams, and left a lasting legacy in the lives of the students and players he guided. His uncanny ability to remember nearly every player, season, score, and critical play reflected his belief that sports could shape young lives, build community, and create lasting relationships. In recognition of his impact on the school and community, the Clayton High School gym was named in his honor upon his retirement in 2014, and he was inducted into the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2017.

In retirement, Ed and his wife, Pam, built a new home and returned to his roots in Stone Lake. He found deep satisfaction in the outdoors and in caring for the land, enjoying everything northern Wisconsin offered, from hunting and fishing to gardening and hands-on work around his property. A talented woodworker, Ed built cabinets and tables from wood harvested from his own land to furnish the home he and Pam built together. He spent countless hours outside gardening, tinkering in the shed, cutting wood to heat the home in winter, and carving out trails for the Gator and four-wheelers so his family could enjoy the beautiful land that brought him so much pride. Known for his warm hospitality and storytelling, Ed often reminisced about the sports he played, the teams he coached, and his favorite childhood memories of growing up in Stone Lake. He took great joy in hosting visitors, showing them around the property, and sharing the stories behind the many projects he had completed.

Ed is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Pamela Langham; his children, Alison Becker, Kristopher Langham and his wife, Melissa, and Joshua Langham; and his treasured grandchildren, Teagen Becker, Graysen Becker, and Lara Langham. He is also survived by his siblings, Robert (Rolinda) Langham, Evelyn (Patrick) Rohlik, Alice (David) Bertalino, and Jerry Langham, as well as many nieces, nephews, and their families.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Roger and Marie Langham, and his brothers, Thomas Langham and James Langham.

Ed’s family will gather privately to honor his life, with a broader celebration planned so friends, former students, players, colleagues, and loved ones can share memories together.

Service Information:

A private funeral service for the family will be held, at St. Philip’s Church, Stone Lake.

A Celebration of Life will take place at a later date and will be open to friends and family.

The family is deeply grateful for the outpouring of love and support received during this difficult time. Your kind thoughts, prayers, and memories are the greatest gifts they could receive, and the family respectfully requests no additional gifts.