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James Elmer Long, 81, died May 22, 2020 in Oklahoma City. He was born February 1, 1939 in Mangum, Oklahoma to Harvey and Lola (Ballew) Long. He married Madalyn Jeanne Shannon on June 9, 1960 in Warr Acres, Oklahoma.
He was a 1957 graduate of Mangum High School, where he excelled at football, baseball, and track. After graduation, he moved to Bethany where he attended Bethany Peniel College (SNU) with a keen interest in math and science. It is there he met the daughter of the Chemistry professor, Dr. Shannon. He would marry Madalyn Shannon, the girl with the great smile and friendly spirit, in 1960.
In 1958, at age 18, he began working for Continental Baking Company (Wonder Bread) in downtown Oklahoma City, where at age 20, he became the youngest supervisor in the company’s history. He retired after 32 years after instituting many improvements for pension funding, worker safety and welfare, logistical efficiency, and engineering improvements to production, distribution, and accounting systems. James then went back to school at OSU/OKC, receiving an associate degree in computer science in 1988 and then operated Long’s Computer Service, LLC as a second career for over twenty years.
James was known for his intelligence, kindness, work ethic, honesty and moral code. He was true to his word and true to his God. He was a hard worker who had the detail orientation, patience, mental acuity, and persistence to be extremely adept at problem solving. He would tell you that he learned to work hard because he had to work early in life, starting with mowing lawns, pulling cotton and stocking at grocery stores. His favorite job growing up was helping his Grandfather Ballew at Club Lake where he loved to drive the tractor, and could also fish, hunt, swim and play golf. He also loved working at the Mangum lumber yard learning woodworking and construction.
With James’ father passing away when he was a small child, his Grandmother Ballew taught him to lean on his Heavenly father for strength, guidance and wisdom. James served at both Westgate Nazarene Church in choir and BYKOTA (Be Ye Kind to One Another) Sunday School group, and was the men’s softball team pitcher. At Bethany First Nazarene Church he faithfully served in the choir, the Renditions singing group, and after completion of both the Bethel Bible Series and Lay Pastor training program, was a lay pastor with Madalyn for many years to the seniors’ Sunday school class.
James enjoyed over sixty years with Madalyn, the love of his life, encouraging her and supporting her in becoming Dr. Madalyn S. Long, during her career at Bethany Public Schools, and then in the later stages through difficult surgeries. He was a loving, selfless, and devoted father to his son, David, throughout his life. Once blessed with grandchildren, he deeply valued spending time loving, teaching, and bonding with grandsons, Andrew and Aaron.
James was a quiet, kind, and gentle man with a subtle sense of humor who loved to be of service to others. He selflessly gave of his time, brawn, expertise and advice wherever and whenever needed. He especially loved to help the infirm and elderly and was a natural bedside attendee for those who needed comforting. He was faithful to God, loyal to family and friends, compassionate to all those he met in this life. He was a good man. His was a good life. Although he struggled with several physical ailments, he never complained and never stopped praising his Lord. He was a modern St. Joseph, whose faith was reflected in quiet actions. May his silent earthly suffering be credited to him as righteousness before God.
James was preceded in death by his parents, Harvey and Lola Long and his step-father, Leon Hudgins.
Survivors include his loving wife of almost 60 years, Dr. Madalyn S. Long; son, David (Julie) Long of Edmond, OK; grandsons, Andrew (Kylie) Long of Fort Collins, CO and Aaron Long of Stillwater, OK; brother, Robert L. (Loanna) Hudgins; and others to include nieces, nephews, cousins, and an extended group of friends he considered family, including the BYKOTA group, who have maintained a loving Christian relationship for over fifty years. He is greatly missed by all.
Memorial services will be Monday, June 1, 2020 at 2pm at Mercer-Adams Chapel with a reception following.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of James E. Long to the E. Boyd Shannon Scholarship fund at Southern Nazarene University, 6729 NW 39th Expressway, Bethany, OK 73008.
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