Ray B. Long, Lt. Colonel, USAF (Retired)
September 10, 1936 – June 15, 1989

Ray Burton Long, 52, a 16-year Alaska resident died June 15, as the result of a helicopter accident in Rainey Pass.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church, with the Rev. Alfred Giebel officiating. A visitation was held at the church.

Mr. Long was born Sept. 10, 1936, in Pomeroy, Wash. He lived there until 1943 when the family moved to a farm located east of Pomeroy. He attended the Pomeroy public schools and graduated in 1954. Mr. Long attended the University of Idaho in Moscow and studied Agriculture economics, receiving his Bachelors of Science in 1958. During his college tenure he was a member of the Air Force ROTC and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant upon graduation. He had also trained and received his private pilot’s license during college. In 1958 he was assigned to Lackland AFB in San Antonio, Texas, for orientation and then transferred to Moore AFB in McAllen, Texas, for primary flight training. He was later transferred to Laredo, AFB in Laredo, Texas, where he was awarded his flight wings. He did advanced training in helicopters at Stead AFB at Reno, Nev., and was then assigned to his first operational station at Glasgow AFB at Glasgow, Montana. Mr. Long was later assigned to McConnel AFB in Wichita, Kansas, for B-47 training. When the training was completed, he was assigned to March AFB at Riverside, Calif., where he copiloted a B-47. In 1962, while assigned to the Strategic Air Command, he was moved to Mt. Home AFB at Mt. Home, Idaho, where he returned to helicopters and flew support for the titan missile sites. From 1965 to 1973 he spent time stationed in Vietnam, Korea and Thailand, where he flew as aircraft commander in the H-3, retrieving the drones after they returned from photo and electronic scanning jamming missions. In 1973 he requested and received a transfer to Elmendorf AFB where he flew helicopters in rescue and support of outlying radar sites throughout Alaska. He retired as a Lt. Colonel on Nov. 1, 1978, after a little over 20 years of active service. He received the distinguished flying cross in addition to many other awards.

After his retirement he tried working as a real estate agent, a building contractor, and in 1980 returned to flying helicopters for a small commercial helicopter company in Talkeetna. In June 1981 he joined ERA Helicopters in Anchorage. He has flown in nearly every part of the state of Alaska, from Juneau to Point Barrow, rescuing survivors from downed aircraft, lost hunters, and helping set up gold mining camps in the Alaska Range. He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed fishing throughout Alaska. He also enjoyed woodworking, print framing, yardwork, and scrimshaw.

He leaves his wife of 31 years, Laurie, of Chugiak; his son, Stephen Long, stationed with the USAF in Australia; his daughters, Jacquelyn Kooistra, of Elmendorf AFB, and Ginger Long, of Anchorage; his brother, Marvin Long, of Seattle, Wash.; and his sisters, Marjorie M. Bickel, of LaConner, Wash., and Eleanor Soderberg, of Eugene, Ore.

Burial was with full military honors at the Fort Richardson National Cemetery following the church service. Casket bearers were Peter Jenkins, David Jenkins, Bill Johnston, Gordy Wallin, Paul Wasler, Jay Loesch, Scott Garret, and Warren Lowry.

The family suggests memorial contributions be directed to the Nellie Johannson Alzheimer’s Center, 9210 Jupiter Drive, Anchorage, Alaska 99507. Service arrangements by the Witzleben Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, Sixth Avenue Chapel.

Burial information: Fort Richardson National Cemetery, Fort Richardson, AK.