Randy was born on June 21, 1949 at Bethany Hospital in Kansas City, Kansas to Virginia and Keith R. Long. He graduated from Park Hill High School in 1967. After high school, he worked 36 years for Southwestern Bell/AT&T as an installer and repairman. After his retirement in 2004 he sold real estate for Reece Nichols for seven years. On March 17, 1977, Randy married Pamela Weddle; the couple would have celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary this past Thursday.
Randy was a car enthusiast from his teen years on. He tried to sit down and write a list of all the cars he owned throughout the years, but found it impossible to list or remember that many. In his younger years, he loved to play softball and at one time was playing four nights a week. As he got older, he had to give that up and instead embraced golf. Something about hitting little white balls gave him pleasure. He also loved to take walks with his wife, the two traveled a lot over the years and visited family, friends and beautiful places. They collected many cherished memories, but as the years wore on, Randy had more and more trouble remembering those times, yet he still loved to hear about them. Randy, along with his wife, was an active and dedicated member of the Faith Baptist Church in Smithville, Missouri.
Though Randy was more of a listener instead of a talker, he was very social and enjoyed being surrounded by friends and family. He had a great sense of humor and carried his laugh through his last days. As a child he was taught to be polite and courteous, even during his final time, you could hear him occasionally say “Thank you”. His last nine months were lived in a memory care facility that was a blessing to him and his loved ones. The memory care facility held a special place for the entire Long family, it is located on a piece of land that Randy and his family lived on for the first nine years of his life. So in essence, he came full circle and as the Bible says, dust to dust.
Randy is preceded in death by his parents Virginia and Keith R. Long and son Christopher.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Pamela Long; three sons, Jason Long and wife Julie, Justin Long, and Kevin Long and partner Wendy; sister Sharon E. Hall and family; three granddaughters Emah Tyler and husband Cody, Makenzie Long, and Ryleigh Long; step grandsons Ryan, Max and Alex; step granddaughters MacKenzie, Haylee, and Kady; great grandchildren Ellie, Landyn, Harper and Quinnlee; and Ricky the cat.
A Visitation for Randy will be held Monday, March 21, 2022 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM, with a Memorial Service at 11:00 AM both at Newcomer's White Chapel Funeral Home, 6600 NE Antioch Road, Gladstone, Missouri 64119. Immediately following services, family will host a luncheon at Faith Baptist Church 14450 North 169 Highway, Suite I, Smithville, Missouri 64089.
Inurnment at Evergreen Cemetery in Braymer, Missouri will be at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Randy’s Honor may be made to Alzheimer’s Association or Faith Baptist Church.
The family would like to thank the caregivers at the Gardens at Barry Road and Ascend Hospice for their efforts, care, dedication and love toward Randy.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.dwnwhitechapel.com for the Long family.
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