Leaves w/ lichen

Light Show

Camera: Nikon d200
Shutter: 5 sec
Aperture: f/8
ISO: 100
Focal Length: 19mm (28mm at 35mm equiv)
Date/Time: 7/5/06 9:59pm MDT

James Ernest Long Jr

James "Jim" Ernest Long, Jr., 83, passed away July 1, 2007, at his home in Rexburg, Idaho, under the care of Aspen Hospice.

Jim was born December 6, 1923 in Glendale, California, the son of James Ernest Long, Sr. and Helen Ione Denton. Jim attended Franklin High School in Glendale California, graduating in June 1941. He had decided early in his life that he would attend Oregon State University to study forestry and spent three semesters at the University before joining the Navy during World War II. During the war he served as a naval aviator in the Pacific, based at Barbers Point, Hawaii. When World War II ended, Jim resumed his education at Oregon State University. After graduating he returned to Southern California to teach agriculture in the Los Angeles City School District at Westchester High School and Paul Revere Junior High School. In 1964 he started teaching at Pierce College in Woodland Hills where he taught full time for 5 years. While in California, Jim became a licensed Landscape Architect, and later received his license in Hawaii. Later in his life he was an Idaho State Trustee for the American Society of Landscape Architects. His love for landscape architecture and particularly plants and trees deeply impacted his life.

Jim married Roberta Lee Brecher in October 1944. Their children are James III, John and Jan. They lived in Corvallis, Oregon, Manhattan Beach and Woodland Hills, California. They later divorced.

Jim and Linda A. Knox were married in September 1965. Their children are Laura, Jerry, Paul and Jonathan. They moved from California to Hawaii in 1969 when Jim was hired to establish a nursery for a resort development. He supervised the landscape installation at Waiakea Village and Punaluu on the island of Hawaii. In 1974 he moved to Maui to participate in the development of Wailea, a large hotel, condominium and golf course development. In later years he enjoyed returning to Hawaii and pointing out the areas he landscaped and the trees he planted.

In 1975, Jim and Linda met with missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and were baptized in Kahului, Maui. The next year they read a notice in the Church News advertising a position at Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho. Jim applied and the family moved to Rexburg in 1977.

Jim taught in the Landscape Horticulture Department until he retired in December 1988. He was hired to design and develop a large campus garden which later became the Thomas E. Ricks Gardens. While at Ricks he taught landscape design classes and a landscape construction class. In the landscape construction class, he and his students developed the gardens. He designed projects and during the summer the students would construct them. The class projects stood in the gardens for many years. After his retirement, he filled his time with painting and ceramic classes at Ricks College, skiing, fly fishing, and community service activities. He served on the Rexburg Planning and Zoning Commission for over 11 years, was a member of the Rexburg Tree Commission, and a strong advocate for a local bike path and trail system. He felt strongly that Rexburg deserved a network of bike trails and walking paths that took advantage of the town's natural surroundings, particularly the Teton River. Outside his local community, Jim was a passionate advocate for the conservation of Idaho's many rivers. He worked for many years with the Henry's Fork Watershed Council and was an Idaho Rivers United board member.

Jim was an active member in his church serving as director of name extraction in Rexburg, a high councilor for a campus stake, and in many callings in his ward.

Jim loved the mountains, trees, and rivers of Idaho, but more than anything he loved his family and enjoyed every moment he was able to spend with his children and grandchildren. They in turn are grateful for his love and the legacy he has left them. His life and example is one of a life truly worth living. We miss him deeply.

Jim is survived by his wife Linda of Rexburg; children Jim (Diana) Long of Poulsbo, Washington; John (Melanie) Long of Poulsbo, Washington; Jan (Steve) Schmitt of Simi Valley, California; Laura (Kevin) Bybee of Herriman, Utah; Jerry (Jessica) Long of Moscow, Idaho; Paul Long of Golden, Colorado; Jonathan (Kristi) Long of Rexburg, Idaho; nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be conducted Friday, July 6, 2007 at 11 a.m. in the Rexburg 4th/15th Ward Meeting House, 166 S. 1st E., with Bishop Thomas Thornton officiating.

Friends may visit with family at the Flamm Funeral Home in Rexburg, Thursday evening from 6 to 7:30 p.m. and at the church on Friday one hour prior to the service.

Burial will be in view of the rivers and mountains he loved at the Sugar City Cemetery.

Memorial

In Memory of my Dad.

James Ernest Long Jr.

Born: December 6th, 1923
Died: July 1st, 2007

James "Jim" Long, 83, of Rexburg, died July 1st, 2007 at his home. Funeral Services will be held 11:00am Friday, July 6th at the Rexburg 4th/15th Ward LDS Church building. Family will visit with friends from 6:00-7:30pm Thursday at Flamm Funeral Home in Rexburg, and from 10:00-10:45am at the church prior to services.