Larry Eugene Long

Born in Geneva,New York on July 15, 1940, Larry Eugene Long had a very humble childhood. One of three boys to Alice and Charles Long, the family built a milk hauling business that served the upstate New York area. Larry worked with his older brother Ron and his twin brother Lynn on the farm daily before and after school. Larry attended a one room school house that contained grades one through eight in the same room. He often spoke about having to walk to school “uphill both ways” and being so poor that he and his brother had to share a hat to look out the window.

In high school, Larry found his passion for basketball and mathematics. This continued through college as he attended the University of Rochester where he still maintains records for defensive rebounds. Larry’s hook-shot was not as lethal as his elbows in impacting the game. While in college, Larry balanced his athletics, academics, and life as president in his fraternity DEKE.

After graduating from college, Larry attended graduate school at the University of Buffalo where he held a fellowship. Soon after, Larry met Willa while attending a friends wedding. They were married on August 15, 1964 and have three children.

Larry was hired by AT&T in their executive training program in 1964 where he worked until he retired in 1998. While employed at AT&T, Larry worked at the World Trade Center in New York as well as Thayer Place and the Data Center in Kansas City. Among his favorite memories of working in New York, included the filming of King Kong 2, and playing street ball with Lou Alcindor (aka Kareem Abdul Jabar) and various other New York Knicks players.

Larry also loved to sing! In the morning, while working, on an elevator, at the mall and quite possibly in his sleep. His coworkers mentioned that they always knew when he was coming to work because they could hear him singing on the elevator all the way up to their floor. He especially loved singing as a member of Country Club Christian Church.

After retirement from AT&T, Larry worked as an instructor at Devry and volunteered as a math tutor in multiple elementary schools. He enjoyed spending time with his seven grandchildren and playing games on his computer. Larry loved his sweets very much. Peanut M&Ms, McDonald’s pancakes with syrup, Lamars donuts, cherry pie, ice cream, and Golden Grahams were among his favorites. He would often skip the main course of a meal, and start with the desserts.

Larry is survived by his Wife, Willa Long, his three children Laurie Miller, Larry Long, Linda Miesner, and seven grandchildren.

A visitation for Larry will be held Monday, May 8, 2023 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Mt. Moriah, Newcomer and Freeman Funeral Home, 10507 Holmes Road, Kansas City, MO 64131, followed by a funeral service from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM. Burial will follow in Mount Moriah Cemetery South.

In leu of flowers, the Long Family would recommend making a donation to the Special Olympics in Larry’s name

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mtmoriah.net for the Long family.