Obituaries

Richard Harvey Long

Richard H. Long was born in Kansas City, Mo., on June 23, 1923. He peacefully passed away on his tractor March 13, 2014. Richard was preceded in death by his loving wife of 66 years, Catherine M. Long and by two daughters, Barbara J. Richardson and Jeanne M. Simpson. Richard is survived by his grandchildren and spouses, Tammie Bass and husband, Ruben, of Gravette, Ark., Rachelle Smith and husband, Gary, of Fayetteville, Ark., and Richard Simpson and wife, Jennifer, of Springdale, Ark.; and four great-grandchildren, Dalton, Lexi, Sophie and Bentley. Richard "Pops" Long enlisted in the U.S. Navy Jan. 6, 1941. He was assigned to the USS Enterprise which entered WWII on the morning of Dec. 7, 1941. Pops survived Pearl Harbor, the Battle of Midway, the Guadalcanal Campaign, Battle of Kwajalein, Saipan, Philippine Liberation, the Battle of Leyte, the Marshall Islands, Iwo Jima and the Korean War. Pops spent 20 years on aircraft carriers sailing all over the world, receiving numerous medals, "just working for Uncle Sam." Pops returned to his family in California and spent the next few decades working hard and saving to retire in beautiful Arkansas. His children and grandchildren soon followed to be with him. We thank God for letting us spend countless hours laughing, hearing stories and being taught how to do anything from tying knots to building an engine. We were blessed with a loving, devoted, intelligent, funny, opinionated grandfather. Death leaves a heartache no one can heal but love leaves a memory no one can steal. America has lost another great WWII Veteran but our family has lost a HERO! A private military burial will be held at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of the Backstrom-Pyeatte Funeral Home of Springdale. Please visit www.backstrom-pyeatte.com to sign online quest book.

Published March 23, 2014

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