Roger Long
May 24, 2012
Roger L. Long, Sr., 71, passed away Thursday, May 24, 2012, at Mercy Hospice in Johnston. He was born June 7, 1940, in Davenport, Iowa, to Roy and Ella Long.
Roger worked for Long’s Auto Parts/NAPA for over 40 years. He was 100% True Blue Eastsider, and lived for racing - NASCAR, Sprint Car, Go Kart… - attending the Indy 500 for more 40 years. He was a snow bird, spending his winters in Texas. Roger loved his beer and playing the Lotto - he would always say, “It’s only numbers.” He will be remembered as a family man who loved life and everyone in it, the man with 1,000 jokes, for his kind spirit, and for having a heart the size of Texas.
Roger is survived by his wife of 30 years, Connie L. Long; his sister, Carol Bauer (Vernon); son, Roger L. Long, Jr. (Sharon); his daughters, Coreen D. Long-Avery (Dave) and Tammy L. Reid (David); his grandsons, Jessy J. Dentler and David L. Reid, Jr.; his great-grandson, Lane Heath Dentler; plus many nieces, nephews, cousins, and hundreds of close friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, and brother, Ronald Long.
Funeral services will be 10 a.m., Wednesday, May 30, 2012, at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens, 121 NW 60th Avenue, Des Moines, with burial to follow at Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery. The family will greet friends from 5 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, May 29, at the funeral home.
If you have any humorous short stories, please write them down and bring them to the visitation so the minister can read them at the funeral service.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society in Roger’s name.
Online condolences may be made to:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
shane carson
05/30/2012
sorry to hear of Roger's passing...or graduating, as Dave Stevens would say....Roger was one of my 1st friends when I moved to Des Moines to race full time in the late 70's... he was always up and helped me thru some tough times when i was learning the business...RIP Roger.
Becky & Ron Booth
05/30/2012
We are so sorry we missed the visitation. We had a lot of fun with Roger and you Connie at bowling and on our trips to Vegas!! Our heart goes out to you and your family and also to Carole and Vern. Carole so sorry you have lost two brothers to this horrible disease!! Becky & Ron
Larry&Eunice Beener
05/30/2012
Connie & Family.
We were saddened to hear of Rogers passing,he was truely a
unique character.We enjoyed
our times with you and Roger
at the Knoxville nationals. My
favorite memory is stepping out
of our camper,half hungover
one morning only to find Roger,
beer in hand frying breakfast
potatoes on their grill.He was a
fun guy always.
Larry&Eunice
Matt Hutchings
05/30/2012
I am very sorry to hear about this loss. Roger was a good friend of my dads and they had a lot of great times together.. he was always a lot of fun to be around when i was a kid..
Dennis and Kathy Koehly
05/29/2012
To Connie and family. Sorry to hear about your loss. We are keeping you in our prayers.
Jim Robison
05/29/2012
Connie, My heart goes out to you and the family at this time of loss. While it is hard to let go, I know that Roger is in a better place now and suffers no more. I will miss Roger's jokes and quick wit at the Nationals this year, but will always have great memories.
Roger Jr. I enjoyed spending a few minutes with you at Indy talking about your dad and I will always keep the picture that I took of him taped to the side of the motorhome.
My favorite story from Roger is the one of the night we were in Oskaloosa and it was raining like crazy and at that point the races had not been cancelled. Roger as only he could do walked up to one of the remaining few people in the grandstand with his ticket in hand and with a straight face told the individual sitting in the seat "excuse me, but I think you are in my seat" . This man looked at Roger and said "man you have got to be kidding me" Roger could definitely bring life to the party. I miss you buddy.
Lora Sonner Hall
05/29/2012
To all of Roger's family - Roger will be missed greatly at Knoxville and had many friends that loved him there! If Roger was around it was a good time! I know right about now he and my Dad are having a cold one and discussing the events from Indy! They will be eternally racing together again! My thoughts and prayers are with all of you and the man you loved so much!
Deb Tresten
05/29/2012
Connie and family, for not knowing Roger all that long, I could tell he was a loving man, and a man with a sense of humor. I only wished I could of cared for him longer. I am glad he is in God's hands now.
Diane L. Hutchins
05/29/2012
Sharon & Roger Jr.,
My Thoughts & Prayers go out to the both of you in this time of sorrow and thereafter. It is NEVER easy to lose a parent believe me I know. Know that your Dad is in GOD's hand & he will be smiling down on you everyday. Memories last a Lifetime & he will ALWAYS & FOREVER be in your Heart,
Dick Lester
05/28/2012
Sorry to hear about Roger. We were good friends. Graduated together. He painted my first car (1940 Chev). My thoughts and prayers are with you JR and your family.
Dick and Shelle Baker
05/28/2012
So sorry to hear about Roger. He was a great friend and co-worker. Had some fun times in spider lake with him, he always made everything fun. We will be sure and have a beer for him !
Lee & Jennifer
05/28/2012
So long bud. You will be greatly missed. Loved those Vegas trips. You welcomed the "Out of Towners" with open arms.
Monica Williams-Pauscher and Family
05/27/2012
The lose of someone so close can be very difficult. Just remember I know for certain that we never lose the people we love, even to death. They continue to participate in every act, thought and decision we make. Their love leaves an indelible imprint in our memories. We find comfort in knowing that our lives have been enriched by having shared their love. Our prayers are with the Coreen Long Avery and family.
Gary Knight and Tracy Hamilton
05/27/2012
He will be truly missed by all. He was a wonderful and funny man. So sorry that we will be unable to attend but know that his friends and family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Don and Jerry Morris
05/27/2012
We have many memories of Roger from our younger years, and some of the crazy things we all did! He was a 'cool dude'.
We love you Coreeny...Uncle Donnie and Uncle Jerry