Don H. Long

Donald Hammond Long, 100, of Merritt Island, FL passed away Thursday, December 10, 2015. He was born in Edmond, Kansas on March 21, 1915 to Joseph F. and Emma A. Long. He was preceded in death by his brother, two sisters, one daughter and two sons. He is survived by three daughters: Cheryl Stout (husband, Art), Margaret Gardner (husband, Robert), and Mary Burns; 26 grandchildren, 53 great-grandchildren, and 13 great-great-grandchildren. Twice a widower, Lodema Long was his first wife of 59 years, and Alice Long, his wife for five years.

An athlete in high school, he played baseball in Concordia, Kansas for several semi-pro teams. In 1944, he was inducted in the army and served in the Pacific. After the war, he reenlisted and served in Korea and Europe, retiring as a Command Sergeant Major in May 1964. Don worked for the Army Security Agency as a civilian from 1964 to 1977.

He and his wife moved to Florida in 1976. Both he and his wife enjoyed bowling and participated in the Florida senior games as well as the local leagues. He won six state championships in the Florida senior games. He bowled when he was 99 but broke his arm and was unable to continue.

Don was a volunteer at Patrick Air Force Base Hospital until he was 85 but continued to volunteer at Wuesthoff Medical Center in Rockledge for ten years.

After Dee’s death in 1992, he continued to live in Rockledge but moved to Merritt Island in 2000 with his marriage to Alice.

He promised to take your smiles and friendships with him but in lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Divine Mercy Catholic Church.

A visitation will be held Monday, December 14, 2015 from 2-4PM at Wylie-Baxley Funeral Home in Merritt Island. A Funeral Mass will be held Tuesday, December 15, 2015 at 11AM at Divine Mercy Catholic Church. He will be interred at Florida National Cemetery following services.