Russell Anderson Long

Russell Anderson Long, a former resident of Kerrville, passed away Sunday, March 31st, 2019 at the age of 95. He was surrounded by his daughters and several of his grandchildren. A Memorial Service will be held at University Christian Church in Austin, Texas, on Saturday, April 6th at 10:30 am. Reverend Dr. Charles Kutz-Marks will officiate. A graveside service and interment will be held at a later date in the Historical Cemetery in Lee’s Summit, Missouri.

Russell was born and raised in Lee’s Summit, where he graduated as salutatorian from Lee’s Summit High School and subsequently, Missouri Valley College. He was called to duty in WW II while in college in a V12 unit. He served in the U.S. Navy from September 6, 1942, to July 1, 1947, initially as an officer in the Pacific amphibious forces at Iwo Jima and various U.S. duty stations. He completed his Navy career following Post Graduate School in Meteorology at the U. S. Naval Academy, graduating in 1946.

Russell had a 43-year career in the thermoplastics field. After working for 30 years in management, and research & development for Spencer Chemical, Gulf Oil Chemicals Company and Chevron, he spent 13 years as a Technical Consultant. His career took him to Orange, Texas; Greensburg, Indiana; Houston, and Port Arthur, Texas. After falling in love with the Texas Hill Country, he subsequently retired in Kerrville.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 31 years, Dorothea Robertson Long. He is survived by and will be greatly missed by his daughters Elizabeth Long, DDS, of Austin, Texas; Janet Emr Oriold and her husband, Frank Oriold ,of Calgary, Canada and Patricia Laden, MD, and her husband, Gary Laden, of The Woodlands, Texas. Russell is fondly remembered by his grandchildren, Kevin Emr and fiancé, Julia Neves; Adrianne and Robert Evans; Collin and Margaret Laden and Keaton, Brent, Abby and Brooke Laden, all of Texas. Memories will be shared with his two great-grandchildren Charlotte and Gibson Evans. Survivors also include his beloved sister Patricia McGraw, nephew David McGraw and niece Suzanne McGraw, all of Lee's Summit, Missouri. Numerous caregivers in Austin who helped make Russell’s last year’s comfortable and peaceful are also considered family.

Russell was an active member of First Christian Church, Kerrville, and has served in positions of leadership there and in other Christian Churches where he resided. He previously served the YMCA as a board member, the Rotary Club of Houston, the United Way, multiple charities in Kerrville and has chaired committees for Navy and high school class reunions. He was one of the inaugural inductees into the Lee's Summit High School Hall of Fame and is a member of the Missouri Valley College Athletic Hall of Fame having lettered in basketball, football and track.

The Long Family thanks the caring staff of Brookdale Northwest Hills in Austin for helping to care for Russell his 7 years there. Also his loving caregivers including Patsy, Bernie, Rosemary, Becky, Frank, LaTonya and Veronda. Gratitude is expressed to the staff of Nurse Case Management/Care For and Debbie Pearson, RN for managing his support. Thanks goes also to his team at Hospice Austin including his current nurse, Melanie.

In lieu of flowers those wishing to make memorial gifts please send to First Christian Church of Kerrville Mortgage Fund (1900 Goat Creek Rd., Kerrville, Texas 78028) or to a charity of your choice.