John Edward Long

John Edward Long, “Johnny Boy” was born October 1, 1937 in Des Moines, Iowa to Hortense Payne Long and John Edward Long, Sr. From this union was born Betty, Delores, Johnny, Lucille, Robert, Patricia and an older brother John Long. John began his Spiritual Journey on November 22, 2015. Dad said he will be sad and miss us here, but that he will be happy to see Momma and Tracy. He is preceded by his parents; his sisters, Betty and Delores; his brothers, John and Robert ; and his daughter, Tracy Long-Gnat. Johnny attended North High school in Des Moines and played football as full-back and linebacker. He also boxed in the golden gloves as a welter weight. He held the title of welter and middle weight champion. John went to Nationals in 1953 for Golden Gloves. He was also a part of the Big 10, the first Negro Buddy Group from Des Moines, IA. Members of this group were: Sam Bradley, Kenneth Nash, Joe Caldwell, Bruce Miller, Charles “Tony” Black, Warren David Weathers, Jimmy Cooper, Bobby Jacobs, David “Butch” Jackson. Johnny joined the army in 1955. After being honorably discharged from the army, Johnny traveled the Midwest and has his famous story about pecans in Texas. He returned to Iowa and went to Sioux City to work with his uncle Fred Irvin, who we knew as “Big Boy”. In Sioux City he met and married Winnifred Fields. From this union was born five children; Tonya K Long, Troy E Long, Tonie Greve, Tracy Long-Gnat, and Timothy Long, one step daughter Dorita Dowell. He has a younger daughter Dominque Long. Later, in life he loved to travel across the United States with his children. He enjoyed visiting states he had never been in before and seeing new sights. Johnny was a huge fan of football and loved listing to the old Jazz greats. He also loved to fish, starting when he was five years old. He leaves to cherish his memory, his children, Tonya Long of Saint Paul, MN, Troy Long of Sioux City, Iowa, Tonie Greve of Emerson, Nebraska, Tim Long of Sioux City, Iowa; his sisters, Lucille Perry and Patricia Long of Saint Paul, Minnesota; 15 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; also other family members and lifelong friends. John spent his last month with his daughter, Tonya and grandchildren, Shakarra “Sugar Plum” and Wayne “Doctor Wayne” who took care of him and nursed him in his final weeks in their home in Saint Paul, Minnesota. John E Long died at their home Sunday Morning. We want to give a special thank you to his nephews; Mark Evans, Keith Perry his niece Valarie Long-James and his special friend, who he loved like a daughter Yvette Hastings, for being a blessing to him his last three months in Des Moines. We want to thank his nieces Rhonda Long, Darlene Chess, Marguerite Pearse, and his sister Patricia Long who helped with his care while in Saint Paul. at his daughter’s home in St. Paul. Funeral Service 12:00 p.m. Friday November 27th at the River of Life Christian Church, 739 Summit Ave., Saint Paul. Visitation 1 hour prior to the service at church (11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.)