MAJ. STEPHEN LONG U.S. Air Force, Retired, 74, of Las Vegas, flew west for the last time August 10, 2018. He died from complications arising from Parkinson's Disease. Steve was born February 16, 1944, in Hastings, Nebraska. Steve is survived by his loving wife, of 45 years, Katherine; son, Shannon Long; daughter, Katie Long Silvia; grandchild, Glen Silvia; sisters, Bonnie Werner of Medford, Oregon, and Shirley Hammer of North Bend, Oregon; two stepsisters; two stepbrothers; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Nina Barnhart and Daniel Long; and stepfather, Hank Barnhart.
Steve graduated from Willamette University in 1966 and entered the U.S. Air Force March 13, 1967. He trained as a fighter pilot, was selected for O-2 Forward Air Controller operations and was sent to Thailand in November 1968. Steve was shot down by enemy fire on Feb 28, 1969 over the Ho Chi Minh Trail inside Laos. He spent 1,490 days in captivity as a Prisoner of War. After repatriation, he was lucky enough to fly the fighter planes of his dreams, the F-4, F-105 and F-16 Falcon and retired from the Air Force in 1987. He became an instructor in Nevada's classified F-117 Stealth program from 1987 to 1992. In 2000, he became the Deputy Director for Veteran's Affairs for the State of Nevada and oversaw the construction of the Nevada State Veterans Home in Boulder City. Steve had a quick wit and enjoyed fishing, hiking, hunting, and spending time with family and friends. Steve loved flying and had flown fighter jets as recently as 2008.
Our family cannot thank all the kindness and compassion he received at the Nevada State Veteran's Home in Boulder City enough. Memorial will be 2-4 p.m. Friday, August 24, at Palm Mortuary, 7600 S. Eastern Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89123.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to NSVH in Steve's honor, Nevada State Veteran's Home, 100 Veterans Memorial Drive, Boulder City, NV 89005.
