Wayne Long

1951 - 2023

Wayne Long
April 21, 1951 - March 3, 2023
Overland Park , Kansas - Bernard "Wayne" Long passed away comfortably on March 3, 2023 at Kansas City Hospice House. He suffered a heart attack 10 days earlier and received amazing care from all the healthcare workers at St. Luke's South.
He was born April 21, 1951 in Red Oak, Iowa. His parents were Vernon P. Long, an attorney and Ermabeth Smoley Long, a homemaker. Wayne's deceased sister Margaret was 4 years older. Wayne graduated from Northwest Missouri State and traveled the Midwest collecting data for Dun & Bradstreet. That morphed into an underwriter position for Aetna Insurance. But what Wayne was best remembered for was his 25 years at Hall's Menswear on the Plaza. He dealt with the kindest men and the most fastidious men! He shared his over the top stories from work at many social events he attended and that is why so many people sat next to him at parties! Wayne had a wry sense of humor and had the most sarcastic take on every subject.
With his partner/husband of 41 years, Craig Sole, they enjoyed decades of entertainment with seasons of Starlight Theater, Theater League, The KC Ballet, Heartland Men's Chorus and fund-raisers galore. Every July Craig would attend the American Institute of Floral Design Symposium with Wayne in tow. While Craig attended classes Wayne sought out the Antique Districts for Staffordshire figurines and Majolica plates. After Wayne retired he opened a booth at The Glenwood Antique Mall so he could surround himself with all things antique.
Wayne had the biggest heart for animals especially their many pets throughout the years. Most recently the new rescue puppy a black chihuahua-dachshund mix named Virgil was often glued to his lap and watched tv with him. Law & Order: SVU was a favorite. His cooking prowess was one specialty, pumpkin pie, which he would bring to gatherings all 12 months. Craig's family who became Wayne's family looked forward to this specialty at the holidays.
He gained 2 brothers-in-law, Brian Sole and Eric Sole (Tanta) and a sister-in-law Kim Sole Grantham Lorenz (Mike), Kim's 4 children, Dani Grantham Tabor (Jordan), Miles Grantham (Wylee), Aubrey Grantham Robinson (Dylan), Gardner Grantham (Kieran) and 6 great nieces and nephews. His pumpkin pie and sense of humor will be greatly missed!
A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, April 23, 2023 at the Culinary Center 7920 Santa Fe DriveOverland Park, KS 66204 for an open house/visitation between 2:00 and 5:00 pm. Donations are welcome to the KC Ballet or the Animal Rescue charity of your choice. Arr: Signature Funerals 816-214-5174