Obituary
Michael Lynn Long passed away on March 24,2022 in Orlando, Florida. He was born in
Hopkinsville, Kentucky on November 16, 1948; then, moved to Michigan in 1960, where he
attended high school and college.
Mike came to Florida in the 1970s and worked in aviation for over 50 years. He had
many friends and associates in the industry. He was fair, honest, and hardworking. He always
did his best to treat others with kindness and respect–a trait he passed on to his children,
Geoffrey and Amy.
Mike loved life, had a curious mind and a spontaneous sense of humor. He was a
business owner, a pilot and talented photographer who loved the outdoors. Dogs held a special
place in his heart and his Sheltie, Lanie, was always by his side. Most of all, Mike was a devoted
husband, a loving father and grandfather, and a true friend.
He is survived by his wife Susan; son, Geoffrey (Stacy); daughter, Amy (Bryan);
grandchildren, Avery, Charlie, and Henry; stepbrother John; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Dalton Long and Eula Bremer; stepparents,
Elfriede Long and James Bremer; and his brother James Bremer, Jr.
As a tribute, please share your memories of Mike on his memorial website.
Please pray with me: Heavenly Father, we thank you for all of the blessings you bestow upon us, especially for the precious gift of life. We thank you for placing Mike among as a servant to you and an inspiration to us. We ask you now to fill our void with peace and your sovereign love. Amen
Life is a journey, made up of the many paths we have traveled before reaching the end of the trail. Some people you meet you will know for only a short time, and years will pass, but every bit of the life story is a part of who we have become. While you have been blessed for many years with this special man, I knew him for only five years as a teen ager- before any of you ever knew him, and want to share a memory of Mike from that time.
I met Michael when we started 8th grade classes together at Banner School just after he moved to Michigan from Kentucky. I am sure this move amounted to a great deal of culture shock for him, especially at that age where every kid is extremely self-conscious and feels the entire world is noticing his every move. His gentle kindness, humble intellect, and great sense of humor helped him make his transition to a new school and community a positive one. He was readily accepted by his classmates, who often remarked about his Southern accent, gentlemanly manners, and his ever present addressing of our teachers as “Ma’am” and “Sir.” All our teachers thought so highly of him. I really enjoyed being in class with him. He was a serious student, but he could goof off with the other guys and pull it off better than most… most of the time, that is. Our social studies teacher Mrs. VanConett had a severe hearing impairment but the eyes of a hawk. She adored all of us, but would not hesitate to call us out by name if we decided socializing was more important than listening to her lectures and taking notes. Usually, Mike slipped the chain with the most charming look of innocence on his face as he tried to stifle his sly smile when others in his group got told to leave the room. Yep, Mrs. Van was good for nipping the silliness in the bud, and I can still see the abashed look on Mike’s face when it all finally caught up to him as she calmly spoke into her microphone, “Mike Long, you are dismissed.” It was an electric moment.
Mike was such a great guy, and I knew wherever he would go in his future, he would continue to be a fine man who would do good things for others and make his future family happy. I loved the photo you chose for this obituary site. It perfectly reflects the Mike I knew so long ago.
I want you to know I fondly remember Michael and was happy to have been his classmate. Please accept my condolences as you grieve this loss. Cherish the love and legacy he gave you, and know he is smiling now on all of you. Love never disappears.
We are so sorry for your loss Susie. You will always have our support and love.