Jonathan Russell Long

He was born too early and departed too soon. Jonathan (also known as Jon) and his twin brother, Timothy, were born in Seattle on February 25, 1980. They arrived about 10 weeks early into the harsh reality of being premature babies weighing under 3 pounds each. Jonathan died peacefully in his sleep on Sunday, August 14, 2016 at the age of 36.

Jonathan lived a very challenging and quiet life but enabled changes to be made that make life easier for others. His lungs never fully developed and were easily compromised with illnesses. He spent almost his first 3 years living in the hospital - at Childrens Hospital of Seattle (now known as Seattle Children's). He would get a little better and then get sick and get a little worse. He survived with roughly 15% total lung capacity and required oxygen and a ventilator all of his life. Doctors learned much about caring for preemies in treating Jon and have made great advances in their care. He attended Seattle Public Schools in special education classes by taking his homecare nurse with him to school. Throughout his life his doctors never expected him to survive but he did survive for 36 years.

Jonathan was born to parents Russell and Irene Long of Seattle. He became a challenging part of their lives with almost 3 years in the hospital, then living at home for 18 years with homecare nursing and medical equipment. At age 22 he moved to a special adult family home run by Alliance Nursing who have cared for him there for 14 years. It is one of very few places in Washington State that accepted a person with oxygen and a ventilator and required RN nursing care.

Jonathan knew and was predeceased by his grandparents, Runar and Margaret Long. He is survived by his parents, Russell and Irene Long of Seattle, his older brother Thomas and wife Linda Long of Sho Low, Arizona, and his twin brother Timothy Long of Boise, Idaho, uncles Don Westergaard, a wanderer, and Kenneth Long with wife Peggy of Ireland. He also had numerous cousins and extended family.

Jonathan is free at last.