LONG, Harry Eugene

The Record-Courier 7 Dec 2012 Harry Eugene Long, 87, of Baker City died Nov. 28, 2012, at Meadowbrook Care Center of natural causes. Combined funeral services for Harry Long and his sister Doris Long Colton will be held at 10 a.m.. on Friday, Dec. 7, at Gray’s West & Co. Pioneer Chapel with Father Julian Cassar and nephew, Keith Long, officiating. Interment will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery with a reception following at St. Francis de Sales Parish Hall. Harry was born on July 11, 1925 to William Oscar Long and Amy Owen Long in Baker City, Ore. He was the youngest of eleven children and only one born in a hospital. Harry attended Baker High School and graduated in 1943. He joined the Navy the same year in November. He served on the USS Cottonwood as a gunner. After the war, he married LaVelle Mattis in 1946, they later divorced. Harry worked as an accountant in both Baker City and Salem, Ore. Harry moved to Alaska to fish on a fishing boat out of Dutch Harbor. He loved his time in Alaska and often reminisced about his fond memories there. Harry enjoyed hunting and fishing in his free time. In the early 1970’s Harry was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, as his health declined he moved from Salem back to Baker City where he lived with his sister Ruth and her husband Lee Brown. After their death, Harry continued to live alone for one year until the MS progressed further making it difficult to live alone. In 2003 his leg was amputated as a result of ulceration of the leg. In April of 2004 Harry moved to Meadowbrook Care Center, where he lived for eight and a half years prior to his death. Harry had many trials and tribulations in his life, but always had a positive outlook on life. Harry loved living at Meadowbrook and all the wonderful people caring for him. He will be remembered for his sense of humor and jokes. The family would like to thank Guardian Home Health and Heart and Home Hospice for their loving care. They would also like to thank his niece, Sandra Payton, for all her devotion to serving Harry. Harry is survived by his daughter, Janis Long of Salem, Ore.; one granddaughter, Jamie and one great grandson; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Harry was preceded in death by both his parents, his brothers and sisters Pearl (Dan) Thrasher, Opal (Joe) Blank, Garnet (Ester) Long, Ruth (Lee) Brown, Earnest Long, Frank Long, Glen (Marylis) Long, Lewis (LaVelle) Long, Doris (Walter) Colton, Daisy (Gilbert) Elliott, and his son Steve. Memorial contributions may be made in Harry’s memory to Disabled American Veterans through Coles Tribute Center 1950 Place Street, Baker City, OR 97814.