John Douglas Long, 61, of Salina passed away on May 10, 2025 after a long fought battle with cancer. John was born November 26, 1963 to Melvin and MaryAnn (Depew) Long. As a child he attended St. Mary’s Grade School and Sacred Heart Jr./Sr. High School along with his ten brothers and sisters. He had a long working career starting as a tinner in heating and air, built bridges, worked at Beech Aircraft, was an Independent Sales Rep for Tony Llama Boots in North and South Dakota, sold and installed fireplaces at Pestinger Heating and Air for 17 years, and then finished his employment at Pfizer Pharmaceuticals for the last 14 years.
John met his wife Connie in 1991 in an elevator in the United Building while they were both working. Only to find out over time that their paths had many points that crossed over the years before. They married on October 17, 1992 at St. Mary Queen of the Universe Catholic Church. John and Connie have two children, Margy and Sam.
He loved music, to golf with his family and friends, and to fish and bow hunt with his brother Jim and cousin Matt. Throughout his life he was involved in Knights of Columbus, Breakfast Bandit AMBUCS, helped teach Parish Religious Education with Connie, coached his son’s basketball and baseball teams, served on the Pastoral Council, sang in the choir, was a cantor, and a Extraordinary Eucharistic Minister at St. Mary’s Church.
John had a life full of love, laughter, and friendship. He was a devoted husband, father, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, cousin, coworker, and friend. He was the best Pop Pop to his two grand-dogs Kelby Clem and Brewster Long. He loved all children and they loved him right back. His family and friends will dearly miss his ability to tell a story for any occasion and how he could always make them laugh.
Survivors include his wife Connie, daughter Margy (Zach) Clem of Salina; son Sam (LeeAnn) Long of Salina; brothers and sisters: Dave (Sharon Knight) Long, Jim (Karla) Long, Sue Long, Sandy Vinson, Sharon Long, Cindy (Doug) Crandall, Paul Long, Maureen Olson, Rob (Krista) Long; mother-in-law Mildred Hynes, sisters-in-law Linda (Denny) McClintock and Carmen (Jeff) Griffin; many cousins, nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, and so many loving friends. John was preceded in death by his parents, Melvin and MaryAnn Long, his brother Mike Long, and father-in-law, Richard Hynes.
Visitation will be 4-8 p.m. with family present 5-8 p.m. and a Rosary beginning at 7 p.m. on Friday, May 16, 2025 at Ryan Mortuary, 137 N. 8th St., Salina.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, May 17th at St. Mary Queen of the Universe Catholic Church, 230 E. Cloud, Salina. Burial will follow at All Saints Catholic Cemetery. All in attendance are welcome to a luncheon following the burial.
The Mass of Christian Burial can be viewed on the St. Mary Queen of the Universe YouTube page.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial to the John D. Long Memorial Scholarship Fund or to St. Mary Queen of the Universe Catholic Church of Salina.