Donnie Joe Long Obituary (1941 - 2018)

Donnie Joe Long, 77, died after a 7-year struggle with cancer on Saturday, March 03, 2018 at his Prairie City home surrounded by his loved ones as he wished to leave this life. He was born on February 26, 1941, in Thomas, OK to James Carl and Fanny Ellen (Yoder) Long (both preceding him in death). Don married first wife Phyllis Ann (Stinson) (Long) Hite, July 01, 1961, they had a daughter Donna Lee Long (Wissner) Linder, mother of Don's oldest grandchildren Shane Wissner, who is the Father of Don's first two great-grandchildren Schea'la and Bentley, and Granddaughter Shannel (Wissner) Shaefer mother to Don's youngest Great-Grandchild 8-month-old Carson. Don married his 2nd. Wife of 52 years Paula Ann (Roder) Long, on October 30, 1966, together they raised their three sons: Dale Floyd Long, father of Don's grandchildren Jessie Allen Long of LaGrande, Oregon, father of Great-grandsons Raiden and Mason, granddaughter Megan Helene Long of Prairie City, and granddaughter Ashley Nichole, of Prairie City, mother of great-grandchild Ryatt, Son Mitchel Dawain Long, of Prairie City, Father of Granddaughters Tomica Leigh Anne Long, Matika Marie Long and Johna Michel Long all of Prairie City. Son James Clark and wife Bobbie (Palmer) Long of Grants Pass, Oregon, their Children Don's Grandson Shawn M. Long his daughters, Don's Great-Granddaughters Baily and Iyana, Don's Granddaughter Heather N. Long also of Grants Pass Don was raised on his family almond orchards where he learned a lot about trees he also spent his youth working in the Grape vineyards of the area and was taught that hard work never hurt anyone. Don worked in tire recapping for some 35 years and owned his own recapping Co. In Livingston, CA. Retiring to his favorite hunting area, Grant County in 1990, where Don and Paula purchased rental homes in Prairie City, Canyon City and John Day and established D AND P RENTALS. Don loved tending his vegetable gardens and working summers for the forest service on fires where he worked as a driver for ground support up until his diagnosis of cancer in 2011. Don was a lifelong outdoor enthusiast, loving hunting, and fishing, where he enjoyed spending long days sharing this passion with his family and friends, if he was not doing it he delighted in talking about and sharing his experiences with all. Don fell just short of a lifelong goal of taking 100 deer with a tally of 90. Don also was willing to share his vast knowledge of firearms, ammunition, reloading, and tires with anyone who cared to listen. Don was preceded in death by his sister Dorothy P. Long, Grandparents John J. Yoder, wife Sarah Judith (Swarey) Yoder also Frank and Pearl (Sulser) Long. His Son Dale F. Long, Father James C. Long, and Mother Fanny E. Long. Daughter-in-law Christina L. Long. Don is survived by his wife Paula A Long, his Sister Linda M. (long) Smarr of Canyon City, OR, Brother Buddy & Sister-in-law Beth Long of Livingston CA & His daughter Donna & Son-in-law Mike Linder of Modesto CA, his son Mitchel Long of Prairie City and Son James and Daughter-in-law Bobby H. (Palmer) Long of Grants Pass, OR, his Niece Debbie Smarr, Grandniece La Tasha, Nephew James Smarr and his wife Corinna Smarr, Grandnieces Sahaylie, Sunshine and Shyanne Smarr.