Obituary of Walter Howard DeLange, Jr.
Walter Howard DeLange, Jr. died December 6, 2017 in Houston at the age of 86 surrounded by his children.
The son of Walter H. DeLange, Sr. and Marie McArdle DeLange, Walt, as he was better known, was born January 20, 1931 at U.S. Army Post Schofield Barracks in Honolulu, Hawaii. The son of a colonel, he lived in California and South Carolina before spending most of his childhood in San Antonio. Walt attended Texas A&M University and served in the U.S. Coast Guard, returning to earn BS and MS degrees in Psychology from Trinity University in San Antonio.
In 1961, Walt earned his PhD in Psychology from the University of Houston, and began a long and accomplished career of helping children, adults and families. A mentor to many and a member of the American Psychological Association, Walt practiced in Kansas and Tennessee before starting a 30 year career at Houston Child Guidance Center. While there, he focused on child and adolescent mental health and the training of psychologists and clinicians. He served as the organization's Clinical Director among other roles, and forged lifelong friendships with many colleagues there. After retiring from HCGC, Walt continued in private practice for many years.
Walt and his family have been active residents of Boulevard Oaks for over 45 years. He was an avid tennis player at the Briar Club and a devoted Aggie Football fan.
Walt was preceded in death by his wife, Kathy, and their beloved schnauzer, Albert.
He is survived by his son, Adam DeLange and his wife, Lori, of Atlanta; daughters, Jennifer DeLange and her husband, Joel, of Houston and Clare DeLange Adams of Coppell; and grandchildren, Ashley and Nathan DeLange of Atlanta, Veronica and Caroline Szulc of Houston, and Carla Adams of Seguin.
A visitation with the family will be held from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., Monday, December 11, 2017 at Joseph J. Earthman Generations, 234 Westcott Street. A funeral service will be held at 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, December 12, 2017 at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 1805 West Alabama Street. Walter will be laid to rest at Glenwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Poe Elementary School for the renovation of the neighborhood playground.
