Alumni Happenings - February 2005
Grand County High School

Lorrie and Kerry Lange - GCHS Alumni
by Jeff Richards

Grand County High alumni Lorrie Drake Lange (Class of 1980) and Kerry Lange (Class of 1975) began dating each other during Lorrie’s senior year of high school, and were married two years after her graduation.

The Langes, owner-operators of Desert West Office Supply and JC Penney catalog store, are often seen taking tickets at GCHS sports events, including football and basketball games.

“We try to support the high school kids and help out at various events,” says Lorrie, adding that they both enjoy wearing their red shirts to support the Red Devils. Kerry explains that their Desert West work shirts are red because oftentimes he and Lorrie will go straight over to the school from work to volunteer or attend a sports event.

Lifelong residents of the Moab area, the Langes are the parents of three children: Brianna, 20, Kelby, 18, and Caitlin, 16. All attended Grand County High School. Brianna, who participated in debate, tennis, and soccer while at GCHS, is currently attending Westminster College in Salt Lake. Kelby, who played on the GCHS golf team, is now enrolled at Utah Valley State College in Orem. Caitlin is a junior at GCHS, where she has been involved in such activities as Future Chefs, FBLA, fundraising for prom, and track.

Clearly, the Lange family bleeds “Devil Red,” and school spirit is a matter of pride. “We are proud of our school, and try to encourage kids to take pride in it,” says Lorrie.

Both Lorrie and Kerry have fond memories of attending GCHS. “One thing I remember is how to diagram sentences,” Lorrie recalls. “But I have to say that I have never used this skill in my adult life! Sorry, Mr. Maughan.”

Kerry remembers learning “word study” from Granny Griffin. He also remembers “having hair, at least” during high school, an understatement that is clearly evidenced by his yearbook photo.

Both have enjoyed making Moab their home while raising their children. “I like Moab,” says Kerry. “I like the varied recreational opportunities, and watching the community change.”

“I enjoy the kicked-back way of life,” adds Lorrie. When not at work or attending school events, the Langes like to participate in quiet activities, such as gardening and doing projects around the house.

While attending high school, Kerry lived 30 miles north of Moab in Crescent Junction, where he helped with the family business, a restaurant and truck stop. By the time Lorrie was a senior in high school, Kerry had moved to Moab. They dated off and on for a couple of years before getting married in 1982. Kerry worked as a truck driver at the time.

In 1996, the Langes bought Spencer’s Printing and Stationery store, which had been in business in Moab for some 35 years. They changed the name of the company to Desert West Office Supply, and were located on Bittle Lane for a while before moving to South Town Plaza. Then, in 2002, they moved to their current location at 53 West 100 South, just west of Zax Pizza, which opened for business around the same time. In November 2004, they acquired the JC Penney catalog store and moved that business to the same location as their office supply store.

“I really think that people should give back to the community in some way. We just choose to use the schools as our venue,” Kerry explains. “People like us, who don’t have a lot of money, all they can do is give their time. Over the years, we’ve definitely gotten more out of it than we’ve given.”

“But (the commitment) doesn’t have to be a full-time thing,” Kerry adds. “Even if it’s just every once in awhile, the schools and the kids just need the community’s help and support.”

“Our kids are the future,” Kerry adds. “Everyone in this community is influenced by high school students in some way.”

“There are a lot more opportunities and activities now than there used to be, especially for the girls,” Kerry notes. Even so, he laments the fact that the town used to be centered around the high school, but is not so much anymore.

“There just needs to be more people involved,” he says. “You really see things from a different perspective when you get involved. Everyone always hears the negative things first, but they really need to know all the good things that are going on.”

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