James “Jim” Craig Long, went on his final adventure April 24, 2025 after a long battle with Progressive Supra-nuclear Palsy.
Jim was the child of Roy and Ada “Peggy” Long of Webb City, Missouri. He was born on Thursday, November 23, 1944. He graduated from Webb City, Missouri High School and received his Bachelor’s degree in social work from Pittsburgh University in Pittsburgh, Kansas.
Jim married Rebecca Stiefel on September 17, 1988 in Kansas City, Missouri, who survives of the home. In 1990, Jim and Becki moved to St. Joseph, Missouri to start their new business venture.
Jim was a dedicated and compassionate father to his two daughters, Kellie Long-Wiedmaier (Bruce) of Topeka, Kansas and Heidi Long – Eggers (David) of St. Joseph, Missouri.
He was the fun and advantageous Papa Jim to his two grandchildren Lane and Olivia Eggers. Their many memories can never be taken away and will always make them smile and laugh.
Mr. Long Lighting or The Lighting God, known by some, opened Long Lighting Center in St. Joseph, Missouri in 1990 with Becki. His unsurmountable expertise and insistence on providing the best experience to all their clients is why Jim is known as “one of the best in the business”.
A most extraordinary man, turned by love into our hero. He was a trailblazer and loved to travel anywhere in the world. The beach in Mazatlan, Mexico will always be his second home where he made wonderful friendships to fill his heart. He was a phenomenal teacher and treasured dreaming about how life would be if we won the lottery.
We know you were in the Kingdom of God, hugging and loving on family and friends who have passed. Don’t drive too fast and enjoy the best vacation of your life.
Donations can be made to Freudenthal Center for Parkinson’s Disease or Central Christian Church in St. Joseph, Missouri.
Farewell Services and Public Livestream 1:00 P.M. Tuesday, Central Christian Church. Interment Seven Dolors Cemetery. The family will gather with friends 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. Monday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory.
