Richard H. Long Jr., "Poppy", was born February 19, 1948  in Wichita, KS, the son of Richard Sr. and Louise Long. He left  the world on February 18, 2024 at the V.A. Hospital in Wichita, 4  minutes before his 76th birthday. Rick served in the US Army in  Vietnam in 1968. As a skilled mechanic, he owned Rick's Auto  Service and was self employed his entire career. He did a great  deal of work for the Wichita Eagle and other clients before  moving his business to Benton. In 1976, while contracting work  for the Eagle, Rick met a young lady who became his lifelong  love and companion. Sharon Stewart Meyer and Rick were  married April 30, 1976. He always felt fortunate to not only have  taken on the responsibility for a new wife, but also of a new  daughter, Jodi Meyer. In 1979, they were blessed by the birth of  their daughter, Jennifer Lynn Long. Rick enjoyed many things in  life, the greatest of which included his family, working on cars,  and refinishing furniture. "Poppy" loved his children and  grandchildren and was blessed to have them all by his bedside  as he passed onto eternal glory. He was preceded in death by his  mother and father. Survivors include his loving wife of almost 48  years Sharon, son Richard, stepdaughter Jodi (husband Gary),  daughter Jennifer (husband Brian), 3 sisters and 2 brothers. He is  also survived by his grandchildren Andrew (wife Sarah), Rebecca,  Jessica (husband Josh), Michael, and special to his heart Ally  and Taylor. He also had 8 wonderful great grandchildren.

Graveside services will be held at the Benton Cemetery in Benton, Kansas on Friday, February 23, 2024 at 2:00 p.m.