John Long
d. July 20, 2012
John Richard "JR" Long, was born to Mary Louise Vandecar and Edwin Lester Long on November 12, 1947 in Baker City Oregon. Edwin died working on the Grand Coulee Dam in Washington before John was born and Mary re-married Robert Forsea when John was very young. John died on July 20, 2012 in St. George, Utah with his loving wife Susan by his side. He had been battling heart disease and failing kidneys.
He grew up in Oregon and loved all the country around Baker City and Richland. He graduated from Richland High School and he was a pitcher on the state champion baseball team. He attended college at Eastern Oregon University and toured the state as a member of the madrigal singers. He had a great singing voice and was a talented pianist. He joined the Army August 28, 1967 and was honorably discharged February 14, 1973. He served in Vietnam and Italy primarily. He was always so proud that he was able to serve his country and wore the title of veteran with great honor.
Married Lana DeVita in 1969 and then later divorced. He then married Dawn Applebee in 1976 and then divorced in 1984. He finally got it right when he married Susan Joy Jones on May 20, 1989 and was with her until the end.
JR always loved to fish and hunt and to be in the outdoors. He felt at home in the many different rivers and lakes in which he spent so much time. He has a very special memory of fishing with his daughter Tammy where they spent the day fishing and talking. He always reflected fondly of that special time with her. He loved his dogs (Sasha and Mandy) and all animals loved him. He was adopted twice by stray cats in Baker, (Beggar) and in St. George (Little-bit).
Survived by his wife Susan Long, his stepson Brian Powell (Jennifer), his children, Richard Garrett, Tammy Garret Sparks (Gordon Goodall), Michele Long Christensen. He also had eight grand children.
He was loved by many and will be severely missed. He has now been reunited with his best fishing buddy Sasha-foo and finally gets to meet Susan's dad Lawrence Edwin Jones and his dad Edwin Lester Long.
Private family services were held.