Larry Clark Long age 70 of Sand Springs and formerly of Coffeyville passed away on April 26, 2020 at his home.
Larry was born in Coffeyville on May 30, 1949 to Robert and Bonnie (Manley) Long. Larry was raised in Angola where he attended grammar school up until 8th grade he then attended Labette County High School up to his graduation. Larry continued his quest for knowledge at Coffeyville Community Junior College where he earned his associates and then on to the Kansas State University where he studied mathematics and architecture. For the longest time while growing up Larry fought with what he really wanted to do, did he want to be a minister or continue his education, although he never became a minister of a church he did get ordained. Larry enlisted in the United States Army National Guard where he proudly served for several years until he was honorable discharged. Larry was united in marriage to Diana Hepner and the couple was blessed with a son and a daughter; the couple later divorced. He later married Candy McKay where he gained another son before they divorced. Larry had worked as a Switchman and a Brakeman of the Union Pacific Railroad and then followed his heart in a different direction where he started his own insurance company Larry Long Insurance of Parsons, Kansas. Larry was very intelligent and loved working with and helping people. The ones that loved Larry the most called him by many names, he was one of the original “Garbitches” that went by Ol Gar, Ed, Eddie, Dad, and Brother. He enjoyed the outdoors, fishing, hunting pheasant, geese, duck, dove, rabbit, squirrel, gigging for frogs where they had a record night of 73. Larry had a natural athletic ability from the beginning, he was recruited by the farm league of the Cardinals as a left handed pitcher but was told by his parents he was to young to go, he rode bull professionally for a few years, was great at water skiing and was probably the best pool player around. He loved lifting weights and just being active and fit, he also loved horses and was a true cowboy. Life wasn’t always the easiest for Larry, but he knew Jesus and accepted him as his savior and even when his health was failing he would do for others as the Bible teaches.
Larry’s memories will live on with his children; Lisa Long Compston her husband Larry, Aaron Long and Shane, his mother Bonnie Long, brother Kelly Long his wife Whanecia Kay, sisters; Cathy Long and Bobbi Jo Sells her husband Ron, grandchildren; Cody, Triston, Bryson, Lindsay, Zayden, Konner, Courtney, Brannon, great-grandchildren; Henley, Layla, and Barrett, and a host of nieces and nephews.
Larry now rests with his father Robert.
Graveside funeral services will be held on Wednesday, May 6, 2020 at 3:00pm at North Edna Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 5, 2020 at Ford-Wulf-Bruns Chapel from 12:00pm to 7:00pm. To share a memory or to leave a message of condolence, please visit www.fordwulfbrunschapel.com
