Obituary for Clifford R. Long
Clifford R. Long
March 1, 1925 - June 3, 2019
Clifford R. Long, 94, West Chester, passed away Monday at Heatherwood Assisted Living in Honeybrook.
He was born in Altoona, son of the late Earl and Mary (Plank) Long. On Nov. 14, 1945, he married Shirley Moreland at St. James Lutheran Church in Altoona.
Surviving are the love of his life, his wife, Shirley; a daughter, Patricia Patterson of Warwick, N.Y.; a son, Clifford R. Long Jr. of Gap; four grandchildren: Wesley Long, Tiffany Patterson, Nicholas Long and Tyler Patterson; four great-grandchildren: Mackenzie Long, Jackson Long, Hailey McDermott and Bianna McDermott; and a sister, Betty Calvert in Georgia.
Clifford finished high school after his service and then enrolled in engineering at Penn State University. He was employed as an operations executive at Gulf Oil Corporation for 36 years.
He earned the rank of Captain in the U.S. Army Air Corps, 14th Air Force, 51st Fighter Group, 25th Fighter Squadron. As a fighter pilot, he received decorations which included: The Distinguished Flying Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster; The Air Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters; The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters; as well as the Chinese Pilots Wings. In recent years, Clifford was presented with the Chinese Victory Medal and the prestigious Chinese Medal of Honor which was presented by the Premier of China, as well as other awards and decorations.
He was a member of Christ Community United Methodist Church in Altoona and Messiah Lutheran Church in Downingtown. He belonged to the Boy Scouts of America, and he was a certified Alpine ski racing official, having officiated events at the 1980 Winter Olympics at Lake Placid, N.Y. He was also president of the Flying Tigers of the 14th Air Force Association.
Clifford enjoyed bowling, golf and skiing. He performed at air shows, played in organized golf tournaments.
Friends will be received from 11 a.m. until the noon funeral service Monday, June 10, 2019, at The Good Funeral Home Inc., Alto-Reste Park, the Rev. Rebecca L. Holland officiating. Interment with military honors will follow in Alto-Reste Park cemetery.
thegoodfuneralhomeinc.com
March 1, 1925 - June 3, 2019
Clifford R. Long, 94, West Chester, passed away Monday at Heatherwood Assisted Living in Honeybrook.
He was born in Altoona, son of the late Earl and Mary (Plank) Long. On Nov. 14, 1945, he married Shirley Moreland at St. James Lutheran Church in Altoona.
Surviving are the love of his life, his wife, Shirley; a daughter, Patricia Patterson of Warwick, N.Y.; a son, Clifford R. Long Jr. of Gap; four grandchildren: Wesley Long, Tiffany Patterson, Nicholas Long and Tyler Patterson; four great-grandchildren: Mackenzie Long, Jackson Long, Hailey McDermott and Bianna McDermott; and a sister, Betty Calvert in Georgia.
Clifford finished high school after his service and then enrolled in engineering at Penn State University. He was employed as an operations executive at Gulf Oil Corporation for 36 years.
He earned the rank of Captain in the U.S. Army Air Corps, 14th Air Force, 51st Fighter Group, 25th Fighter Squadron. As a fighter pilot, he received decorations which included: The Distinguished Flying Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster; The Air Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters; The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters; as well as the Chinese Pilots Wings. In recent years, Clifford was presented with the Chinese Victory Medal and the prestigious Chinese Medal of Honor which was presented by the Premier of China, as well as other awards and decorations.
He was a member of Christ Community United Methodist Church in Altoona and Messiah Lutheran Church in Downingtown. He belonged to the Boy Scouts of America, and he was a certified Alpine ski racing official, having officiated events at the 1980 Winter Olympics at Lake Placid, N.Y. He was also president of the Flying Tigers of the 14th Air Force Association.
Clifford enjoyed bowling, golf and skiing. He performed at air shows, played in organized golf tournaments.
Friends will be received from 11 a.m. until the noon funeral service Monday, June 10, 2019, at The Good Funeral Home Inc., Alto-Reste Park, the Rev. Rebecca L. Holland officiating. Interment with military honors will follow in Alto-Reste Park cemetery.
thegoodfuneralhomeinc.com