Apr. 5, 2019

Russell Anderson Long, a former Lee’s Summit resident, passed away Sunday, March 31, 2019 at the age of 95 in Austin, Texas.  He was surrounded by his daughters and several of his grandchildren. 

A graveside service will be held in the Lee’s Summit Historical Cemetery on Saturday, April 13 at 1:00pm with Rev. Kevin Snow, associate minister of the Lee’s Summit Christian Church officiating.

Russell was born on August 9, 1923 and was raised in Lee’s Summit where he graduated as salutatorian from Lee’s Summit High School and subsequently graduated from Missouri Valley College. He was called to military duty in WWII while in college in a V12 unit. 

He served in the U.S. Navy from September 6, 1942 to July 1, 1947, initially as an officer in the Pacific amphibious forces at Iwo Jima and then at various U.S. duty stations in the U.S. He completed his Navy career following Post Graduate School of Meteorology at the U. S. Naval Academy, graduating in 1946.

He was preceded in death by his parents Anderson Gibson Long and Pearl Pressly Long, both of Lee’s Summit. He was also preceded in death in 1981 by his wife, Dorothea Robertson Long, originally of Sedalia. He is survived by his beloved sister, Patricia McGraw; nephew Dave McGraw and wife, Sally; and niece, Suzanne McGraw, as well as several cousins, all of Lee’s Summit.  We also thank Johnny and Judy Wesley, formerly of Lee’s Summit, who were helpful in his care in his later years.

Survivors also include three daughters: Elizabeth Long, DDS, Austin, Tx.; Janet Emr Oriold and husband Frank, of Calgary, Canada; Patricia Laden, MD and husband Gary, of The Woodlands, Texas.  Grandchildren include: Kevin Emr and fiancé Julia Neves; Adrianne Emr Evans and husband, Robert Evans; Collin and wife, Margaret Laden; Keaton, Brent, Abby and Brooke Laden, all of Texas. Memories will be shared with great grandchildren, Charlotte and Gibson Evans.

Russell had a 43 year career in management, research, and other positions in the thermoplastics field.  Thirty of these years were with Spencer Chemical, Gulf Oil Corporation and Chevron. Following retirement from these companies he had a 13 year career as a Technical Consultant primarily with U.S. Intec.

Russell was a dedicated church member in the various communities in which he resided. He was most recently a member of the First Christian Church, Kerrville, Texas.  He previously served the YMCA as board member, was a member of the Rotary Club of Houston, United Way and had chaired his Navy ship’s reunion as well as his high school reunions.  He was one of the initial inductees into the Lee’s Summit High School of Fame and a member of the Missouri Valley College Athletic Hall of Fame.

In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions to the Missouri Valley College, “Valley Will Roll Campaign”, Missouri Valley College Development Office, 500 East College Avenue, Marshall, Mo. 65340 or a charity of your choice. Thanks to McGilley and George Funeral Home in Grandview for their helpful assistance.