Jacob Ryan Long

Jacob Ryan Long, or “Jake” as many knew him, passed away peacefully at home on July 1, 2025, from complications of Leukemia. He was born on September 13, 1994, to Melisa Hickman and Brian Long in Kansas City, MO.

Jake graduated from Spring Hill High School in 2013 and continued his education at Pittsburg State University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in automotive technology – Diesel and Heavy Equipment. After college, Jake worked as an Equipment Manager for several years before his diagnosis.

Jake was an avid outdoorsman — he loved hunting, fishing, landscaping, and working in the hayfield with his grandpa. He loved a controlled fire, especially burning Poppy’s field “just right.” Jake also loved the Fourth of July and took pride in putting on the best firework shows. Most of all, Jake loved spending time with his family and friends. He was a passionate sports fanatic and a lifelong fan of the Packers, the Royals, and the Jayhawks. Jake had the biggest heart, and his family hopes he will be remembered for his compassion, wittiness, immense strength, and the big smile he always wore.

He is survived by his mother, Melisa Hickman (Kevin Andrews); sister, Melanie Long (Joey Mitchell); grandparents, Terry and Connie Long; uncles, Matt (Jodi) Hickman and Mark Hickman; aunt, Tracy (Brent) Bell; and cousins, Haley, Austin (Brooke), Jenna, and Evan Hickman, McKinsey (Curtis) Kellerman, and Preston (Megan) Bell.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Jim and Jeanne Hickman, and his father, Brian Long.

Services will be held on July 10, 2025, at Penwell-Gabel in Olathe, KS. A visitation will take place at 3:00 pm with a celebration of life to follow at 5:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society or the University of Kansas Cancer Center – Hematology.