of Sherwood, AR

July 8, 1934 - November 24, 2025

OBITUARY OF DON J. LONG

Don J. Long passed away on November 24, 2025, at his home in Sherwood, Arkansas. He was 91 years old. Don was born at sunrise on Sunday, July 8, 1934, to Myrtle Gower Long and James Clifton Long in the two room house hand-built by his parents in Newnata, Arkansas.
In 1941, when Don was a seven-year-old boy in Mountain View, Arkansas, a visiting pilot was offering rides in his two seat Waco airplane for a fee. Don had always been fascinated by flying so, unbeknownst to his parents, he ran home and grabbed two of his chickens. He tied the chickens to the handlebars of his bicycle, rode into town and sold the chickens to pay for the plane ride. Don told the pilot that he wanted to do everything the plane could do, and they did. When his horrified parents learned of his flight, he was mid-air, doing rolls and loops, strapped into the seat of the open cockpit plane with another boy, one seatbelt across the two of them, with their arms and legs wrapped around the airframe to keep from falling out. Thus began Don's love of flying. Don used his skill as a pilot for the benefit of the Arkadelphia community. He flew in guest lecturers for Ouachita Baptist University, and flew representatives of the Clark County Industrial Development Commission around the country to recruit industry for Clark County. He also flew members of his church, First Baptist Church, Arkadelphia, out west for numerous mission trips.

Don graduated from Mountain View High School where he was class president, and then attended the University of Arkansas. For decades he was a successful businessman, owning and operating Ford, Lincoln and Mercury dealerships in Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas and Missouri, including Pine Ford in Camden, Arkansas, Long Ford, Inc. in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, Long Ford, Inc. in Jacksonville, Arkansas, and Tri-Lakes Motors, Inc. in Branson, Missouri. During his years in Arkadelphia, Don was a leader in the community, serving as president of the Arkadelphia Rotary Club and the Arkadelphia Chamber of Commerce and chair of the Arkadelphia Airport Commission. He also served on the Clark County Industrial Development Commission and the board of Group Living, Inc. Don was the fundraising chair for the construction of Baptist Health Medical Center--Arkadelphia, and for many years thereafter, served on the Baptist Medical System Board of Trustees.

Don was proud to have served as a United States Marine. As a radio operator in Korea, he endured harsh conditions and constant danger, alone for days at a time, as a forward observer. He advanced ahead of U.S. troops to surveil the enemy and call in coordinates for fire missions using a GN-58 hand cranked generator for electricity. Don always attributed his training and experience as a United States Marine and his service in Korea to his success later in life. Even into his 70s and 80s he remained involved in the Marine Corp League and Marines of Long Ago. In a 2016 1st Marine Division celebration at Camp Pendleton in San Diego, California, he was surprised when the South Korean Ambassador presented him with a medal and certificate honoring his service in helping restore The Republic of Korea's freedom and democracy.

Don was a kind and loving husband, father, stepfather, grandfather and great-grandfather who never missed an opportunity to tell his loved ones how much he loved them. He was preceded in death by his parents, along with his brother, Richard Long. Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Gerry Shanelle Long, of Sherwood, Arkansas; his daughters, Margaret West (Dan) of Conway, Arkansas, Madeline Bennington (Jeff) of Arkadelphia, Arkansas, and Melanie Faught (Kevin) of Fayetteville, Arkansas; his grandchildren Taylor West (Agnes), Parker West (Emily), Jack Bennington (Maddie), Spencer Bennington, Caroline Bennington, Charlie Faught, Brady Faught and John Tyler Faught; his great-grandson, Samuel West; his step-children, Glennera McEwen (Richard), Dirk Pearson (Diane), John Kent Pearson (Amy) and Shawn Pearson (Sarah); and numerous step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The family would like to thank Deborah McMurray for her excellent care of Don over the last year.

On Saturday, November 29, 2025, at 12:30 p.m., Don's funeral service will be held at Big Springs Baptist Church in Timbo, Arkansas, with Jack Bennington officiating. Pallbearers will be Taylor West, Parker West, Spencer Bennington, Charlie Faught, Brady Faught, and John Tyler Faught, and Don's cousin, Bob Gower, will serve as an honorary pallbearer. Burial will follow at Big Springs Cemetery. Memorial gifts may be made to Big Springs Cemetery, care of Big Springs Baptist Church, 991 Big Springs Road, Timbo, Arkansas 72680.

Obituary Provided By:
Roller-Crouch Funeral Home
405 Peabody
Mountain View, AR  72560
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com