James Edward Long Jr.

1942 - 2022

James Edward Long Jr.
April 12, 1942 - January 19, 2022
Oakdale, California - Born to James Edward "Ed" Long and Vera LeElla Messick in Fresno, California. Jim grew up in the mountains of Auberry, California, where he hunted, fished, and excelled in sports at Sierra High School. He carried the values taught to him in a small town throughout his life. He attended Fresno State College where he was a standout in football and was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers of the NFL and the Oakland Raiders of the AFL. At the same time, he was also drafted by the US Army where he spent the next two years in Georgia, Texas, and California. After the army, he followed his true passion and attended Art Center in Los Angeles and became a graphic artist. This career eventually led to moving the family to Modesto and a twenty-five year career with Gallo Winery. Jim loved any kind of art, sports, and also had a passion for nature. He always enjoyed the Monday night golf league at Muni, bunco with long-time friends, and the horse trips to Point Reyes and Long Valley. He was active in the community, coaching his boys in MYSA and Bel Passi, and was president of the Beyer High Sports Boosters. He was proud to have been a member of the North Modesto Kiwanis Club for forty-four years. He made many great friends there and especially enjoyed the Chicken A-Go-Go, Concourse d'Elegance, and the American Graffitti Festival. He was kind, thoughtful, creative, friendly, patient, and soft spoken. He considered everyone he met a friend and he was loved by all those who met him. Most importantly he was a loving husband and incredible father and grandfather. He was our rock, our coach, our mentor, our role model, and our hero.
Jim was preceded in death by his father Ed Long and many dear friends. He will be greatly missed by his wife of fifty-eight years Wendy, his mother Vera Long, brother Ken (Theresa) Long, sister Jeanne (Ralph) Legg, his sons Rodney (Jamie) Long and Troy (Debb) Long, grandchildren James Long, Jessica Long, Trent Long, Elizabeth Howell, Ben Ross, and many loving cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends
Remembrances can be made to the North Modesto Kiwanis Foundation at NMK Foundation, PO Box 473, Modesto, CA 95353. Please join us for a celebration of Jim's life at the Oakdale Sportsman's Club (840 N Stearns Rd, Oakdale, CA 95361) on Saturday, March 12, at 3:00.