Erling Fay Bangston, 74, of Red Oak, Iowa and Whidbey Island, died Friday, Sept. 11, 2015, at his home in Red Oak.

Erl and his wife Cynthia had been part of the Red Oak Community for 10 years having moved here from Whidbey Island.

Erl, son of Erling and Faye Schellenger Bangston, was born in Villisca, Iowa on Dec. 27, 1940.

The family soon moved to California so his father could participate in the war effort. They later moved to Quincy, Calif. and later to Reno, Nev.

After high school, Erl served in the Marine Corps from 1957 to 1962. Upon discharge and several life experiences, he moved to Washington where he began his career in the real estate profession. He soon opened his own office in 1974 and later expanded his business to four offices. Erl was also a real estate developer of quality homes for the growing population of families on Whidbey Island.

Erl came to Red Oak and immediately began investing in the future of our community, buying several buildings in which many successful businesses are adding to the economy of the town. A highlight of his Red Oak business was restoring the 200 block of Coolbaugh where the Area Education Agency is located, bringing many employees to our community every day to serve the students of SW Iowa. This, too, was where Erl and Cynthia planned to make their home.

Erl truly enjoyed fishing, cooking and sailing. Erl and Cynthia loved traveling to Mexico where the culture of these fine people created a feeling of happiness and brought many friends around their fabulous table.

Erl was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Sally Bangston.

Erl is survived by his wife, Cynthia of Red Oak; daughter, Kristina Bengtsson of Salt Lake City, Utah; grandchildren, Carleigh Steenblik (Kyle) of Utah and Isabeau Hansen of Los Angeles, Calif.; father-in-law, James Barger of Mt. Tabor, N.J.; and sisters-in-law Janice Buck (Charles) of Mt. Tabor, N.J., Susan Richards (William) of Whidbey Island and Christina Myers (Carl) of Middletown, Penn.; cousins, Margaret Goodart (Charles) of Quincy, Calif., Emma Jeanne Shipley of Nodaway, Iowa, Rosa Briggs of Rockport, Mo., David March (Sherry) of Hale, Mo., Victoria Metcalf (Tom) of Quincy, Calif., Jean Childers of Bovill, Idaho and James Metcalf (Betty) of Kamiah, Idaho.

A celebration of life will be held from 1-5 p.m., Oct. 18, 2015, at the Holmes Harbor Rod and Gun Club in Langley.

Nelson-Boylan-LeRette Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.