Army Veteran Charles Norman "Charley" Long

Army Veteran, Charles Norman “Charley” Long, son of the late Walter Monroe Long and Lena Bell (Sanders) Long, was born September 4, 1930, in Waynesville, Missouri. Charley was the middle child of six children. He was soon nicknamed “Buck”, by an uncle, due to his rambunctious nature. Due to moves made by the Long family, Charley attended school in both Waynesville and Laquey, before completing his school years in Richland, graduating with the RHS Class of 49. When Charley was a young teen, he made a public profession of faith in God, during a revival held in Buckhorn, Missouri. He was baptized in the Gasconade River, under the bridge, on HWY 7. Later in life, Charley became a beloved and active member of First Baptist Church of Richland. Charley grew up working alongside his family on the family farm. There was always work to be done on, but Charley knew, and would often state, over the following years, how blessed his family was to have land to work, as it was the era of the Great Depression and they relied on the land to survive. As a child, Charley was surrounded with many loving family members, he laughed and loved and played and grew with them. Walter and Lena both had twenty-two siblings between them and most remained in the Pulaski County area. So, it was with a multitude of aunts, uncles, and cousins, as well as his own parents and siblings that Charley spent many wonderful, albeit hard-working, days as a child and teen; growing crops, milking cows gathering, eggs, and enjoying each other. The many offspring of his family remain very tight knit to this day. In 1948, Charley met Darlene Fern Hatchitt, who lived in Kansas City, but spent summers in the Richland countryside, visiting her aunt and uncle. When they originally met, Charley was with his family in a horse drawn wagon, however, by the time he asked her out there was a family car and he was allowed to use it to take Darlene to the movie theatre. The couple wed in Waynesville, Missouri on October 28, 1950. Charley and Darlene celebrated 72 years of marriage together before her passing on October 31, 2022. Blessed with four children, Buck, Andy, Becki, and Charla “Bunny,” together they enjoyed a blessed life. During the early years of marriage, Charley and Darlene briefly lived in Detroit, Michigan, and in St. Louis, Missouri, before coming to Richland and calling it home. The family loved the closeness that the Richland community provided and made many friends and memories together. Charley was a teen when he started working for the Bohannon Family delivering feed, dynamite, and ice. He also ground feed in the old mill before being drafted into the United States Army on September 13, 1951, where he faithfully served his country during the Korean War, serving on the front lines, until his honorable discharge on June 22, 1953. After returning home from the service, Charley learned the trade of a meat cutter, continuing to work in this field for over 25 years. As Christians, we are all called to be home missionaries and Charley’s mission field was behind the meat case where he treated everyone with dignity and respect, and worked hard to have the cleanest and best stocked meat cases around. Charley retired from meat cutting in 1989, after suffering life changing heart attacks. Charley loved taking care of his family and he did this through loving them well, being a strict disciplinarian, and providing for them with his strong work ethic. After a full day of meat cutting, Charley farmed his own land, raising cattle, hogs, rabbits, and a few goats through the years. Charley raised enough food in his garden (and Darlene preserved it) to feed his family with little other groceries being bought throughout the year. For many years, Charley and Darlene heated their home with a wood furnace. Charley always kept enough wood to heat the house for two years. Charley and Darlene started out buying a two-room house in Richland, Charley added on to this house using used lumber he bought from the railroad, removing and straightening the nails to be reused, building after work and on his day off each week. Charley’s family were his treasures, and he loved each one dearly and was such a proud father, grandfather, and great grandfather. Charley passed away on the evening of Tuesday, August 22, 2023, having attained the age of ninety-two, while in the Harry S. Truman VA Hospital, in Columbia, Missouri. In addition to his parents, and wife, Darlene, Charley was preceded in death by his siblings: Gary Long, Paul Long, Margurite Jennings, Irene Anderson, and Geraldine Gray; his beloved daughter, Charla Diane “Bunny” Long (2014); and two great-grandchildren: David and Gabriel Shepard. Charley leaves behind to cherish his memory, one daughter Becki Long Ruggles (LaVan) of Richland, MO; two sons: Buck Long (Cindy) of Nixa, Missouri, Andy Long (Eyde) of Iberia, Missouri; 11 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; nieces, nephews, and many other relatives along with a host of friends. Charley was humble, kind, and honest. His gentle spirit and sweet smile will be greatly missed, but always remembered by all those that knew he knew and loved. Services were held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, August 26, 2023 in the First Baptist Church of Richland with Pastor’s Matt Brady, and Chuck Baker officiating. Pianist, Marleen Brown played as the congregational sang, “The Old Rugged Cross” and “It Is Well With My Soul.” Pianist, Becky Lercher accompanied soloist, Gilbert Crismon sang, “Beulah Land.” Speakers, Buck Long, and Bruce Elliot shared special memories of Charles. Serving as escorts were Adam Braithwait, Matt Long, Matt Reagan, Preston Fahrer, Thomas Shepard, Taylor Moore, Grant Ruggles and Andrew Long. Burial with Military Honors followed in the Oaklawn Cemetery of Richland, MO. Services were under the care and direction of Memorial Chapel of Richland. Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Army Veteran Charles Norman “Charley” Long to the Ozark Honor Flight and may be left at the Memorial Chapel of Richland. Online condolences may be sent to www.memorialchapelsandcrematory.com

Army Veteran Charles Norman "Charley" Long

September 4, 1930 - August 22, 2023