Kenneth R. Long

Kenneth Long, son of the late Claude and Lula (Willis) Long, was born February 19, 1923, in Greene County, Missouri, and departed this life December 28, 2017, at Mercy Hospital in Lebanon, Missouri. He was 94 years, 10 months, and 9 days of age.

Kenneth married Ruby Sanders on June 20, 1950, in Mountain Home, Arkansas. One son, Larry Ray Long, was born to this union. Larry passed away at birth on January 10, 1956. They enjoyed 52 years together. Ruby passed away on November 4, 2002.

He served in WWII as a combat infantryman and was assigned to the 1st infantry Division (Big Red I). He was wounded twice in combat; once during the Battle of the Bulge. He earned the Purple Heart and two Bronze Stars and ended his service as a Staff Sergeant.

Kenneth was saved and baptized in 1999, living fully for the Lord until his death. He attended Free Will Baptist churches near Norwood and Lebanon and enjoyed his church families.

Kenneth worked in construction, building houses in the area for many years.
He loved to fish and hunt, taking his young nephew, Douglas Jett, whom he loved and treated as a son and who in turn loved Kenneth as a father and holds him as the hero he was in his heart. They enjoyed many days together throughout the years.

Kenneth married Mary (Dickinson) Eden on February 14, 2005 in Lebanon, Missouri. They had almost thirteen wonderful years together before his passing. He and Mary attended many gospel singings and had a great love for music. They always enjoyed the grandkids and great-grandkids playing their Bluegrass music.

Late in life, Kenneth enjoyed going to auctions and yard sales, always looking for a good bargain. Kenneth loved to laugh and joke and made up nicknames for just about everyone. He was also an avid CB and Ham Radio operator, known in this area as “Ozark Ranger” on his CB.

Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Ruby, his infant son, Larry Ray Long, and by one brother, Robert Long, and a niece, Leasha Decamp.

He is survived by a step-son, Ivan Eden of Springfield, Missouri, one step-daughter, Diana Anderson and her husband, Howard, of Mountain Grove, Missouri, two sisters-in-law, Vevia Godwin of Wichita, Kansas, and Linda Cottengim of Norwood, Missouri, seven step-grandchildren, ten step-greatgrandchildren, a niece, Leona (Shacklford) Jett of Marshfield, Missouri, his nephew LTC (R) Douglas Jett and wife, Sheila, of Williamsburg, Virginia, and other nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.