Johnny Jerome Long

Johnny J. Long, age 63, of Columbia, passed away on Tuesday, June 30, 2015. He was born on January 27, 1952 in Blue Springs, AL, the son of Evelyn (Reeder) and William Austin Long. Johnny married Lillian Shaw on February 26, 1977 in Cottonwood, AL and they shared 38 years of happiness together.

Johnny graduated from Cottonwood High School in 1970 and received a Bachelor’s of Science Degree from Troy University in Troy, AL in 1976. In 1994,

Johnny earned his Master’s in Business Administration from William Woods University in Fulton, MO. For more than 40 years Johnny worked in management and executive leadership for several entities within the nuclear energy industry. His professional career began in 1974 when he was employed by Daniel Corporation in Dothan, AL in the welding department. After a job transfer to Jefferson City, MO in 1979 he began work with Flour Contractors International (FCI) as a Project Plant Manager. For approximately twenty years he served as Vice Presidents with the Atlantic Group and later for Day & Zimmermann. From 2010 to 2014 Johnny served as President for Global Power Nuclear Services/Williams Group in Atlanta, GA. Most recently Johnny supported his corporation as Executive Vice President of Strategic Operations for Williams Group.

Away from his professional career he cherished being in the great outdoors, relaxing deck side, manning the grill, and pulling for Mizzou and Bama football. Johnny liked reading health-related reference books and implementing them within his lifestyle. He loved playing and walking the golf course, planning home improvement and landscaping projects, and watching movies after a full day of activity. His greatest passions revolved around his family. Most of all he valued being with each one of them and excelled at “checking-in” on their well-being. He especially delighted in spending time with his three granddaughters who were his pride and joy. Throughout his life Johnny was a generous friend and Good Samaritan to all, giving assistance and sustenance to friends and strangers from all walks of life. Johnny thoroughly enjoyed fashioning handcrafted walking sticks for neighbors, visiting and encouraging friends and loved ones in sickness and in health all across the nation, and helping anyone in need of a little extra support.

Johnny was a member of First Baptist Church in Columbia, MO, having been ordained a deacon in 1985 at Cottonwood First Baptist Church in Cottonwood, AL. At various times throughout his adult life Johnny served as a coach for Little League, Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, as president of PTSA, teacher of Sunday School, and church youth director, and in various other leadership and mentor roles. Johnny was a loyal American and a proud and grateful citizen of our great nation.

Survivors include his wife, Lily Long, of Columbia, MO; daughter, Jenny (Nathan) Anderson of Columbia, MO; son, Jared (Della) Long of Omaha, NE; 3 grandchildren, Avery Lillian Anderson, Riley Renae Anderson and Elsie Rose Long; 2 brothers, Tommy (Dot) Long and Paul (Linda) Long, all of Cottonwood, AL; 2 sister-in-laws, Teresa Cochran and Diane Sewell, both of Dothan, AL, Lynn Ellen Rogers, Eustus, FL; and brothers-in-law, Gary Cochran, Chris Shaw, and James Shaw, all of Dothan, Al; and brother-in-law Fred Shaw, Eustus, FL; Carol Shaw, step-mother-in-law, Eustus, FL; and many beloved nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his step-father, Buford Lilly; one brother, Grover Long; one niece, Wendy Long Cooley; mother-in-law, Miree Lingo Skipper; father-in-law, Joseph Shaw; sister-in-law, Myra Loritsch; and brothers-in-law, Johnny Sewell and Bill Wall.

Memorial Services will be held on Monday, July 6 at 1:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Columbia at 1112 East Broadway. Visitation for friends and family will begin at noon on Monday at First Baptist Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church, 1112 East Broadway, Columbia, MO 65201; or the University of Missouri Health Care “Cardiac Rehab Program,” Office of Development, One Hospital Drive, DC066.00, Columbia, MO 65212 E-mail: [email protected].