Mr. Nolan R Long

Beloved husband, father, brother, Ray Long, passed away on 12 January at the age of 79. Ray was born on 3 July 1936 in Kansas City, Missouri and lived most of his life in the Northland. He graduated from North Kansas City High School in 1954. In 1956 he married Donna Ohlson and together they raised four children. While raising a family and working full time he completed his degree in accounting in 1972 at Rockhurst University. A career accountant, he was employed for 41 years with J.E. Dunn Construction Company. Following his retirement from J.E. Dunn he worked part time for Fisher Electric and Audrey Seeley Landscaping. In 1990 Ray met Mary Ann Kramer and they were married in 1992. For the next 24 years they dedicated much of their time to lifelong learning. Both loved to read and participate in book clubs. Ray was served by an innate curiosity and a love of education, so he and Mary Ann traveled to other countries and cities where they could learn about the diversity of other lands and cultures. Ray’s other hobbies included model trains, jigsaw puzzles, music, and spending time with his family. He loved his children and grandchildren and being a part of their activities. He was a little league baseball coach and a Boy Scout leader. He went to baseball and basketball games, vocal and instrumental music concerts, dance recitals, and many other activities. No matter whether he was a coach, a youth leader, or a spectator, he taught all of us to win with grace, lose with dignity, and participate with joy. He was the consummate storyteller and was adored for his many stories, most of them true. Ray was a great conversationalist and loved talking with people. He always found a way to engage others, children and adults alike, with his great sense of humor. His fondness for language and his quick wit brought about many “Rayisms” which will endure with his family and friends forever. Ray centered his life on Christian principles and values. A longtime member of Fairview Christian Church, he supported others when times were difficult. He often sacrificed his own interests to promote the well-being of others. He turned away no friend or stranger. He gave more than he received, and he cherished serving the community. Following his retirement in 1997 he devoted his time to Youth Friends and tutored many young middle school students. He was preceded in death by his parents, Pierce and Alma Long, and leaves behind his wife Mary Ann, four children; Paul (Lisa) Long, Stacey (Dale) Bishop, Tim (Mary) Long, Dana Long (Sal Vargas), Mary Ann’s son Scott Kramer, sister Lois Green, brother Harold (Judy) Long, 9 grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren. An avid baseball fan, he loved the Royals and we are all thankful that he was able to see a World Series Championship one more time. We know wherever he is; when baseball season starts he will tell everyone “Let’s play two.” Memorial Service will be at 1:00pm, Saturday, at Fairview Christian Church. Family will receive friends from 11:00 to 1:00pm, before the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the church.