Rickie “Rick” Lynn Long of rural South Coffeyville, Oklahoma fought the good fight, and finished the race on Friday, May 26, 2023, at Ascension St. John in Nowata, Oklahoma with is family by his side.
Myron William and Frances (Blome) Long welcomed their son Rickie into this world on July 5, 1950, in Coffeyville, Kansas. He almost always got to celebrate his birthday with a big boom.
Rick attended grade school at Cedar Bluff School in rural Coffeyville. Middle school, junior high and high school years meant having to go to town. Rick received his high school diploma from Field Kindley High School. During his high school years, Rick, his brothers and friends could be found cruising 8th street or drag racing on south Buckeye.
On July 3, 1970, he married the love of his life, Alice O’Neill at Coffeyville Bible Baptist Church. The couple made their home in a small apartment in Coffeyville. Shortly after Rick and Alice were married, they purchased a 1970 Cuda. Rick continued to drag race at MoKan and various other undisclosed locations. A few years into their marriage they purchased a home in South Coffeyville where they raised their three children, Angela, Kimberlee and Rickie. In 1994 he and Alice built their forever home in rural South Coffeyville where they still reside.
Rick has had several working careers over the years. He was a skilled butcher working for Hosney’s, Elmores IGA and Homeland before going to work at Sherwin Williams Smelter and then for the railroad. Fed Ex is where Rick spent over 24 years driving a truck, and with a true blessing in disguise he had a career change. He began working at Lowes in Owasso where he also retired from. This career change was totally unexpected, it was truly by God’s design that all of that took place.
Rick and Alice are longtime members of First Southern Baptist Church where Rick was a greeter and Alice a pianist. Rick greeted all who entered with a warm smile and a friendly hello.
Rick’s racing days were over but his love for fast cars was not. He always tuned in on every televised NASCAR race. He also enjoyed watching westerns even if was the umpteenth time he had seen that episode. Rick loved animals and always had a dog; his favorite grand dog was Mitzi and the best dog he ever had was Purcey. Raising cattle was more like raising pets for Rick, each cow had its own name and they followed him just like a dog. He even raised Emu’s for a while carefully caring for the incubated eggs until they became healthy hatchlings.
Other favorite pastimes were hunting deer, camping, fishing and the best part was baiting the hooks for his grandchildren so he could watch them try and catch the big one. Rick was a good, good man; he loved the Lord and kept the faith that he would be in the presence of his Heavenly Father one day by accepting Jesus as his personal Savior and having a personal relationship with Jesus. He was a wonderful husband, dad, grandpa, brother, and friend. He will be missed more than words can ever express.
Rick is survived by his wife Alice of the home; children Angela Denise McRay (Mark), Kimberlee Diane George (Justin), Rickie David Long (Amanda); grandchildren Alexis Dunsing (Blake), Kaitlynn George, Emily and Bryce Long; great grandchildren Paislee Dunsing, Oaklee and Landree Dunsing; sister Jennifer Ray (Ron); brothers Ronald Long, Randall Long (Patty), Donald Long (Rhonda); nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends. He was preceded in death by his parents.
The family will receive friends on Friday, June 2, 2023, at Ford-Wulf-Bruns Chapel, 2405 Woodland Ave., Coffeyville, KS from 5:30 to 7:30pm. A Memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 3, 2023, at First Southern Baptist Church, 2701 W. 8th Street, Coffeyville, Kansas at 1:30pm with Pastor Matt Friese officiating. Rick will be laid to rest in a private inurnment at Mount Washington Cemetery, Lenapah, Oklahoma. To leave a message of condolence, share a memory or view live streaming of the service under his obituary page visit www.fordwulfbrunschapel.com.
