Don Long (D) 1961-2013.

Our friend Don Long, political activist and union through and through, passed away on Sunday. He was someone who cared.

He was fearless when it came to tackling the chores in a political campaign that needed to get done. Going door to door with him was always a gas.

He wasn’t afraid to speak up and he wasn’t ever afraid to speak truth to power.

I was always recounting how Don and I first met. Years ago both of us were running for state Democratic committee. I was the incumbent. Other than three observers no one else showed up for the election meeting. We both held piles of proxies, but because of the rules we could each only use two of them. Tied. We sat there staring each other down for twenty minutes, neither of us relenting, and I finally said something like, “What the hell, it’s yours.” I’ve considered him a friend ever since.

Every time I saw him he would talk with me about the latest post on the blog. It was his way letting me know that we had at least one faithful reader who liked what we do.

He ran campaigns and did the tough work to get good people elected to public office. In 2012 we were was so glad for Don when he was elected a delegate from the 4th Congressional District to the Democratic National Convention.

We’ll miss him. A lot of people in this part of Missouri and across the state will, too.

Our condolences to his family, friends, and union brothers and sisters.

On the line, speaking truth to power in Harrisonville, Missouri – December 2012.

Donald “Don” Long, 52, Harrisonville, Missouri, died Sunday, November 3, 2013 at his home. Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, November 9 at the United Methodist Church in Harrisonville. Family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Friday, November 8 at the church. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Working Families’ Friend, Donald Long Memorial, 1021 Pennsylvania Ave., Kansas City, MO 64105.

Donald was born October 26, 1961 in Harrisonville, Missouri, the son of Oliver and Neola L. (Oskee) Long. He was a lifelong Harrisonville resident and a 1980 graduate of Harrisonville High School. He was united in marriage to Sharon M. Kelley on March 23, 1991 at the United Methodist Church in Harrisonville.

He started work at Honeywell after high school and attended night school at Longview Community College, earning his Associate’s Degree in Business. Donald was a member of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, Local #778 and was the current secretary/treasurer of Local #778, first elected in 2008.

Donald was chairman of the Cass County Democratic Committee, elected in 2010. He was a Missouri State Democratic Committeeman; a delegate to the 2012 Democratic National Convention; past chairman of the 31st Democratic Senatorial Committee; past chairman of the 124th Democratic Legislative District. He was elected Cass County Democrat of the Year in 2007.

He was a member of the United Methodist Church in Harrisonville; Cass Masonic Lodge #147, Harrisonville; Ararat Shrine, Kansas City, Missouri. He was also a member of Bayard Chapter No. 179 Order of Eastern Star and was a former board member of the Harrisonville Rainbow Girls. He was a former president of the WAVE Soccer Club.

Donald was preceded in death by his mother, Neola Long. He is survived by his wife, Sharon, of the home; one son, Levi Long; one daughter, Samantha Johnston and husband, Brian; his father, Oliver Long; one brother, Mark Long and wife, Kim; a brother-in-law, Jon Kelley and his wife, Peggy, and 4 grandchildren, Jayden, Carter, Maddox and Leylah Johnston, all of Harrisonville, Missouri.

Door to door campaigning in Belton, Missouri – October 2012.