Jerry R Long

Funeral services for Jerry Ray “Coach” Long will be 10:00 am, Monday, November 3, 2025, at Christ United Methodist Church, with Pastor Kim Kwan officiating. Burial will be at 12:30 pm at Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends for viewing and visitation on Sunday, November 2nd at Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home and Crematory.

Jerry Ray Long was born in Carmen, Oklahoma on April 24, 1939, to George A. and Ada L. (Taylor) Long. He has lived the majority of his life in Enid, Oklahoma. Jerry attended Enid Schools graduating from Enid High in 1958. His junior year he was chosen Lil’ Abner and if you know Jerry, you know he is no longer “the most bashful boy in school!” During his junior year the EHS basketball team won the state championship by 1 point. His senior year he scored the winning basket in the conference championship game, but they lost the state championship by 1 point. He was leading scorer and 2nd in rebounds. Jerry was the unanimous choice for All Mid-State Conference. He went on to play basketball at Phillips University and was the leading scorer his 4 years there. The newspaper stories called him “Enid’s own!”

Jerry started his coaching career at Hillsdale/Kremlin then on to Goddard, Kansas. He came back to Enid and finished his coaching career in 1994. During his time at Enid, he coached numerous sports but mostly basketball, softball for 16 years, and baseball, winning the state championship in 1986. He taught numerous students how to drive and anytime he was a passenger in a vehicle, you got a driving lesson! He drove a school bus route longer than he taught and coached. He hauled students and athletes on the charter bus activity trips, which was one of his greatest joys. He also coached and played summer league softball and coached Enid Baseball Camp for 43 years!

In 1963 he joined the Army National Guard. That same year, he married Sharon Hawkins and together they had two children, Mike and Marti. He later married Robin Parrish and her 2 boys (Nathan and Ryley). On May 22, 1998, he married Shari Clark and her 2 children (Jeff and Lauren). He is survived by his wife, Shari. Son Mike Long and daughter Marti Long. Stepchildren Nathan Parrish and his wife Jamie and grandchildren Abby, Ethan, Jack, Addi, and Cassie; Ryley Parrish and his wife Meribeth and grandchildren Kaiya, Sadie, and Samara; Jeff Clark and his wife Shannon and grandchildren Kyler, Hayden, Austin, and Maddie; Lauren Simpson and husband Jim and granddaughters Addison and Mia. His sister Arlene Simunek, his nephews Scott Simunek (Babby) and James (Carri). Simunek and niece Stephanie Willis (Ron) along with a host of friends, former players, coaches, fellow bus drivers, and students.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother-in-law, John Simunek.

Jerry loved life, telling stories and playing pranks on family and friends. He was teasing the staff at Baptist Village even at the end and still claims the home run he hit in adult softball league play is still waiting to come down.

We would like to thank Dr. Rivers for all the years as Jerry’s doctor and friend as well as the staff at Elara Hospice and the staff at Baptist Village for the loving care provided to Jerry and his family.

Feel free to wear OU or Enid High School apparel. In lieu of flowers, memorials contributions in Jerry’s name may be made to Christ United Methodist Church or the Enid High Basketball and Baseball programs with Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home serving as custodian of the funds.

Condolences may be made, memories shared, and services viewed online at www.ladusauevans.com.