Richard "Dick" Long

Dick was a craftsman, a carpenter, a contractor, and most of all a kind and generous soul who was loved by many. He had an adventurous spirit and a true love for the great outdoors, but his greatest love of life was hunting and fishing. Dick spent his childhood raising cane near the family home out in the countryside near 36th Street and Thomas Road. In the 1930’s this was out in the country, the nearest house was over a mile away.

He attended and graduated from Creighton Elementary School and North High School where he met many lifelong friends and his first love and wife Mary Stevens Long. They had three children together during the 20+ years of marriage and remained in the general east Phoenix neighborhood as Phoenix boomed and grew up around them.

He then met the second love of his life, Jan Coffey Long, who he was with for over 50 years and was by his side when he passed peacefully in his sleep.

Dick was proceeded in death by his parents Alva Long and Ruth Bartlo, his brother Wally and ALL of his wonderful and crazy lifelong friends, kind of known as the “Wild Bunch”. He was also a friend and mentor to many of their children and transformed his love of the outdoors to more people than we can name.

He is survived by his three children Mike, Kathy Long Young and Rick, his seven grandchildren, four great grandchildren, his wife Jan and his first wife Curla.

There will be a Celebration of Life on Saturday, October 24th from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Phoenix Elks Lodge, 14424 N. 32nd Street Phoenix, AZ 85032. Just bring yourselves and a Dick Long story to share. Just ask anyone, he loved to tell and hear a good story!