James Lewis Long

With the permission of his parents (Dencil and Maude Long) he enlisted in the U.S. Navy in June 1942. After training, he was assigned to the USS Strong Destroyer as a 1st Class Fireman.

He served on this ship in the Pacific theater until July 5th, 1943 when the ship was attacked and eventually sunk by a Japanese torpedo.

After spending the night in the oil-soaked water he was picked up by a naval ship and later returned to the US for medical treatment. He was honorably discharged in December 1944 and returned to Orlando. Jim married Betty Stover in 1948 and lived for 54 years in Maitland, Florida.

Jim spent most of his adult life working first for the Orlando Sentinel newspaper where he received a patent for an electronic device used to monitor the presses. After working there for many years he went to work for Johnson Electric as an industrial electrician.

In 1986 Jim and his son-in-law (Wayne Deming) started a new electrical contracting business (Control Engineering Group) where Jim worked until his retirement. Jim and Betty moved into an apartment at Village on the Green in Longwood in 2002. After Betty’s passing, Jim continued to live there until his passing on August 4th, 2024.

Jim had three daughters (Cheryl Deming, Terri Folker, and Debbie Brown (deceased). He is survived by his two daughters Cheryl Deming and Terri Folker. Grand Children- Megan (Deming)Harkins, Ryan Deming, Andy Brown, Daniel Brown, Kimberly (Brown) Turner, Emily (Brown), Christopher Brown (deceased), Matthew Folker, and (10) Great Grandchildren.

Baldwin Fairchild in Longwood, Fl. will be taking care of the arrangements.

Jim will be laid to rest at Glen Haven Memorial Park 2300 Temple Dr. Winter Park, Florida next to his wife Betty (Stover) Long. Graveside service will be held at Noon on August 18th, 2024.

Presiding over the service will be Chaplain Bev Richardson. In lieu of flowers, you may contribute to Vitas Hospice Care.