Obituary of James Patrick Long

James Patrick Long 1941 - 2020 James Patrick Long of Maple Valley, WA died at home on Wednesday, August 19th after a courageous battle with Cardiac Amyloidosis. Jim was born in Lafayette, Indiana on May 1, 1941. His family moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin where he graduated from South Division High School. He entered the University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee as an ROTC student and earned a degree in Economics. Jim spent the next four years in the U.S. Army Intelligence Corps and was stationed at Fort Holabird, MD, Fort Lewis, WA, Viet Nam and Pasadena, CA before the family returned to the Northwest. He was hired by The Boeing Company in 1968 and while working he continued his education to obtain a Master of Business Administration from Pacific Lutheran University in 1974. Jim enjoyed volunteering as a Junior Achievement counselor and spent several years helping with the annual Washington State Special Olympics Games held at Fort Lewis. For many years he played softball on church teams, a Boeing Computer Services team and after retirement he played on a coed team and then two men’s teams. A loving father and grandfather, he instilled a love of outdoor activities, from hiking and camping to gardening and sports. He was a passionate supporter of his grandchildren, encouraging them in their pursuits and modeling Christian values. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, James and Treva, his sister, Janet, and his daughter, Brenda. He is survived by Nancy, his wife of 56 years, his daughter, Deanna and daughter-in-law, Daneen Calvin, his granddaughter, Erica, grandsons Shaymas and Jasper, great-grandson, Ronin, his brother, Gerald, plus nieces and nephews. Jim is deeply missed by his family and friends. A private memorial service will be held on October 9th at New Hope Presbyterian Church for family and friends. He will be laid to rest at Mountain View Cemetery in Auburn, near to where his daughter, Brenda, now rests. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made in his name to the Amyloidosis Foundation.