Leon Lloyd Long

Services for Leon Lloyd Long, 85 of Sallisaw, Oklahoma will be at 10:00 am on February 10, 2018 at Agent Mallory Martin Chapel in Sallisaw, Oklahoma. Burial will follow at Macedonia Cemetery in Pocola, Oklahoma under the direction of Agent Mallory Martin Funeral Service, Inc.

He was born on April 27, 1932 in Bokoshe, Oklahoma to Virtie Velma (Bowen) Long and Barney “Lonnie” Alonzo Long and passed away on February 7, 2018 in Sallisaw, Oklahoma. Mr. Long was a carpenter, member of First United Methodist Church in Sallisaw, OK, a U.S. Air Force veteran and a graduate of Panama High School. He joined the Air Force on November 21, 1951 at the age of 19. He reached the rank of
E-5/Supply Technician Sergeant. He was stationed in Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne Wyoming, Lockland Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX and South Korea. He separated from the Air Force on August 22, 1955. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal and Good Conduct Medal.

After leaving the United Stated Air Force, Leon returned to Leflore County and shortly met Ruth Ann Ridenour. He married Ruth Ann on June 4, 1956 in Panama, Oklahoma and shortly moved to California. They moved into a garage apartment and eventually purchased a home in Long Beach, California and had two children: Rhonda Long, born March 22, 1958 and Barney Long, born October 8, 1960. In February 1978, Leon returned to Leflore County to Ruth’s family home and she soon passed away on July 24, 1978. A few years later, Leon met the second love of his life, Erleen Sullivan. Leon and Erleen lived as one for almost 40 years.

Leon enjoyed his church and church family, spending time with his family, and talking SOONER sports.

Survivors are:

wife: Erleen of the home

1 daughter: Rhonda Long-Cook and husband, William Cook of Reno, NV

1 son: Barney Long of Ft. Smith, AR

2 step-sons: Frank Sullivan, Sr. of Sallisaw, OK and Steve Sullivan of Sallisaw, OK

4 grandchildren: Spencer, Tristan, Rachel and Melissa

6 step grandchildren: Frank, Matt, Andrea, Jeff, John, Christie

several great grandchildren

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Ruth Ann; his parents, Barney “Lonnie” Long and Virtie Velma (Bowen) Long; and siblings, Doyle Long, Harold Long, Kenneth Long, Dorothy Long, Pete Mecom, Tom Mecom, Kurt Mecom, Elsie Mecom, Lillie “Grace” Mecom and Francis Mecom.

Active Pallbearers will be Lynn Allsup, Lee Lessley, Bob Walden, Dow Duke, Don Bickel, Jack Wright, Gary Winton, Gary Schaffer and Loyd Jackson.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Jim Lessley and Dwight Walkingstick.

Viewing will be Thursday 5 – 8 pm and Friday 10 am – 8 pm at Agent Mallory Martin Funeral Home in Sallisaw. The family will greet Friday from 6 – 8 pm at the funeral home.