Gary Allan Long

Gary Allan Long, 83, of Boise, Idaho, passed away on November 9, 2025, leaving behind a family who adored him, a lifetime of stories, and a legacy of love, service, curiosity, and a mischievous sense of humor that never faded.

Born in Boise, Idaho on February 13, 1942 to Rolla and Arletta Long, Gary spent his early childhood in Idaho on a farm off of Cole Road before moving with his parents to Minnesota. There, he developed cherished memories of his father clearing snow off of a frozen lake so Gary could play hockey. From Minnesota, the family later moved to California, where Gary graduated from Vista High School, proudly participating in band and playing baseball.

After high school, Gary enlisted in the United States Air Force and served at MacDill Air Force Base as an aircraft weapons specialist. He arrived just in time for the world to teeter on the edge of disaster during the Cuban Missile Crisis. If you asked him, he'd tell you about working 18-hour shifts loading bombs and prepping napalm canisters for jets that would then wait, with pilots in the cockpits, engines running, waiting for the order to launch into World War III.

After the Cuban Missile Crisis, Gary had other adventures while in the Air Force, including riding his motorcycle across the long Sunshine Skyway Bridge toward St. Petersburg ("One ride was enough," he said, noting that if a rider crashed, it would be like crashing on a gigantic cheese grater). Florida also gave him one of his favorite bragging rights: he once waterskied in the Everglades. He claimed the alligators motivated him to stay upright.

After the Air Force, Gary collected adventures the way some people collect stamps: he managed a health spa in New Jersey, worked on the TV show High Chaparral in Arizona, had a small speaking role in the Clint Eastwood movie Bronco Billy, worked inside Lucky Peak Dam, wrangled horses at Warm Lake, helped build the Boise State Pavilion, fought forest fires, and contributed to countless construction projects across the Treasure Valley.

Gary's best adventure began when he learned that a beautiful young woman he was acquainted with in the Boise area was newly single. Gary was working out-of-state and called Laura to ask if she'd like to go to a car show with him when he came to town. It worked. It worked very well. They had a whirlwind romance and soon married on May 15, 1972.

Gary lovingly adopted Laura's daughter Angie, who became truly and completely his daughter. Gary and Laura had three more children whom they loved nearly as much as Angie: Cody, Mollie, and Heather. Cody was the only son, so he got some special treatment, his sisters would sometimes allege. Mollie was Gary's little buddy who accompanied him on many an adventure, including participating in many parades with the Boise Highlanders. And Heather was his precious baby girl who almost didn't survive as a young baby due to premature lungs. Gary felt especially protective of her.

Gary worked as a journeyman carpenter until he joined the Idaho Air National Guard in Civil Engineering in 1983. He later transitioned to the Idaho Army National Guard and spent years with the 25th Army Band, where he made cherished friendships, found endless joy in the music, and created a second family in uniform. During his time with the Air Guard and Army Guard, Gary had active duty assignments in England, France, Costa Rica, and Japan, which he thoroughly enjoyed.

Towards the end of his career, Gary won a base-wide essay contest for a backseat ride in an F-4. His winning argument? He'd trained on the very first F-4s in the Air Force and had his own weapons load crew. Gary talked about his ride in the F-4 for the rest of his life.

After retiring in 2002 at age 60, Gary finally had the freedom to pursue his many passions, and he wasted no time. He loved gold prospecting with his trusty metal detector and made many trips to Nevada in search of gold nuggets. He bought a motorcycle and would go on group rides. Gary also was an armchair expert in archaeology, fishing, firearms, history, poetry, and arrowhead hunting. He was known to set up treasure hunts for his grandchildren in the backyard. Gary was the family handyman and his family believed that there was nothing that he could not fix, and he was often called upon to help with various home repairs.

Gary had a deep wanderlust-one that could take him across states, deserts, forests, and lakes-but it never took him far from Laura, the love of his life. No matter where he roamed, she was his true north, his better half, and his reason for returning home. Laura had health struggles in her adult life and Gary saved her life many times, extending her life by decades. If not for Gary, Laura would not have met most of her grandchildren in this life.

Gary would not have wanted it this way, but he was preceded in death by his beloved Laura. He missed her deeply for the remainder of his days and looked forward to being reunited with her. Gary was also preceded in death by his sister Betty Morrison and his nephew Larry Jones, who was more like a brother than a nephew. Gary is survived by his children: Angela "Angie" Petersen (Richard); Cody Long (Lurinda); Mollie Long Williams (Jay); and Heather Jagard (Dennis).

Gary is also survived by 14 grandchildren, whom he loved more than they will ever know. He is also survived by his big brother Frank and his big sister Carolyn.

Gary's passing leaves a hole that cannot be filled. He will be remembered for his humor, his curiosity, his service to his country and state, his endless willingness to help anyone in need, and-above all-his profound love for his family.

Funeral services will be at Relyea Funeral Chapel in Boise, Idaho on December 29, 2025 at 11:00 am. All are invited. A private burial will follow thereafter.