Derek Jordan Long

05/20/1991 - 05/02/2025
Service Date: 05/10/2025
Service Time: 11:00 am
Service Location: Gilbert Memorial Park 2100 E Queen Creek Road, Gilbert, AZ
Derek Jordan Long passed away in a tragic car accident. He went to be with his Lord Jesus and his son Nolan.
Born in Marietta, Ohio, and moved to Gilbert, Arizona at age 10. He graduated from Mesquite High School, where he played baseball. As a pitcher, he received a baseball scholarship to Eastern Michigan University and Chandler Gilbert Community College. He also pitched for the Neptune Pearls in Oakland, California.
Derek went on to complete a five-year pipefitter (steamfitter) apprenticeship in 2019. He worked through Local Union 469 as a pipefitter and orbital welder for 11 years, and occasionally taught at the apprenticeship school.
Derek was preceded in death by his son Nolan Jordan; uncle, Jim Long and cousin, Brian Sankey.
He is survived by one daughter, Halle Mae; parents, John and Paula Long; four siblings, Lisa Spencer (Ronald), John Paul Long (Pratiksha), Joshua Long, Alicia Jazwinski (Jeremy); nieces and nephews, Eli Spencer (Natalia), Elise Spencer, Ethan Long, Kellen Jazwinski, Rya Long, Liam Jazwinski, Luke Jazwinski, Ruby Long and one great nephew Kason Long.
Derek enjoyed hiking at Usery Park and watching his nephew and best buddy, Ethan, play baseball. He also loved grilling on his Traegar, baking sweets, and sharing them with his family and friends. Derek was a wonderful uncle who loved his nieces and nephews. He was always ready to play with them and create havoc. Derek was a masterful teaser and prankster who loved to tease his family members, especially his Dad. He was competitive in everything he did and loved to win. He liked tattoos and enjoyed doing his own tattooing. Country music was usually playing in the background, and D Long liked to party.
Derek was always willing to pitch in and help others with projects, he could fix anything. He looked out for others and wanted people to be treated fairly. From a young age, he delighted in giving and sharing treats. He was very strong, fierce and fearless.
Derek attended Covenant Life Church in Chandler, AZ. He was baptized on May 15, 2022.
A memorial service and burial will be held on Saturday, May 10th at 11:00 AM at Gilbert Memorial Park, with a reception to follow.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Derek's memory to support his daughter, Halle Mae, or to the Heaven's Hummingbirds project: https:// www.supportdignityhealtheastvalley.org/ways-to-give/heavens-hummingbirds
A fundraising gofundme has been set up in memory of Derek Long : https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-for-halle-in-memory-of-derek-long