James Long

James H. "Jim" Long Jr., of Columbia Falls, passed away Monday, Sept. 27, 2004, as a result of an airplane accident in the Great Bear Wilderness. He was 60 years old.

Jim was born on Sept. 14, 1944, in Johnson City, Tenn., to Beulah A. and James Long Sr. After the award of his doctoral degree in organic chemistry in 1968 from the University of Tennessee, he moved to Houston where he worked for many years for Shell Chemical Co.

In 1986, Jim left the Houston area, moved to Santa Barbara, Calif., and married Laura Stone. He worked there for 13 years in a variety of management positions in the high-tech industry. His last position was chief executive officer of Uniax. In 1999, he and his wife moved to the Flathead Valley.

Jim was active in a number of community programs in the area that utilized his managerial skills and also his love of flying. He was a member of the Flathead Civil Air Patrol and was serving as chapter chair of the Kalispell SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives). He also was serving on the board of the Glacier Park International Airport Authority.

His true passion for flying was embodied in his extensive work for Angel Flight West, as a member of the board of directors and as Montana Wing Leader, but mostly as a pilot flying patients and families to medical help around the Northwest.

Nothing gave Jim more pleasure than the hours he spent flying and learning new skills as a pilot. He is remembered by friends as a truly kind, caring and capable man, with a never-failing smile and helping hand.

Jim is survived by his beloved wife of 15 years, Laura; two sons, Robert M. Long and wife, Cassie, of Houston, and Christopher W. Long, of Chicago; and his brother Richard Long, of Tennessee, and his family.

A memorial service for family and friends will be held Sunday, Oct. 3, 2004, at 2 p.m., at Glacier Park International Airport's north hangars, with a reception following.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to the Angel Flight memorial fund established in Jim's name at www.angelflight.org.