Charles Frank Long, beloved father, grandfather and great-grandfather, passed away on Saturday, September 16, 2023. He was born on March 8, 1931, to Frank and Inez Long in Amherst Neb. He graduated from Amherst HS in 1948. He served his country during the Korean conflict with the Construction Engineers from February 1952 to January 1954. Except for the 2 years in the Army and 3 years working for a private contractor, Charles worked for the USBR his entire career. He worked on many dams and irrigation projects throughout the west – from Nebraska to Wyoming, Utah, Montana, finally landing at Grand Coulee Dam in 1967 to work on the Third Power Plant. He retired in January 1988.
Charles loved hunting and fishing. When his children were young, many Saturdays were spent hunting or fishing as a family – eating breakfast cooked on the stove from the tailgate of the old station wagon. Another love was his garden. In the summer he could be found in his backyard tending his flowers and vegetables. Boy, could he grow the best tomatoes and cucumbers! Many neighbors and friends benefited from his gardening skills.
Charles was a lifelong volunteer. Where there was need, he would lend a hand. In 1994 he was voted Volunteer of the Year by the GCD community. His many volunteer activities included leadership roles in Zion Lutheran Church, Ducks Unlimited, GCD Senior Center, helping with Senior federal tax returns, feeding the fish in the net pen operation on Banks Lake, helping with the food bank and the Tree of Sharing, participation in the local board of the Okanogan County Diversion Court and planting flowers at Gerhke Windmill gardens.
Charles is survived by his two sons: Kevin (Carla) Long of Vancouver, WA., Tom (Alison) Long of Spokane and daughter, Julanne (Jerry) of Grand Coulee; seven grandchildren: Jason, Megan (William), Kyle, Colin, Taylor (Nathan), Joshua and Sophia; two great-grandchildren: Ellie and Benjamin; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Vivian Lavonne, his parents, four sisters Edna, Florence, Francis & Evelyn and two sons, Brent Ray and Steven Charles.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory can be made to the GCD Food Bank.
A celebration of Charles’ life will be held at Zion Lutheran Church, Grand Coulee, on Saturday, October 7 at 1:00. Strate Funeral Home, Grand Coulee, is caring for the family.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.stratefuneral.com for Charles’ family.
