James Richard Long

Dr. James Richard Long, DMD, who passed away at the age of 72 with his loving wife at his side, was a follower of Jesus Christ, the father of seven children, and an orthodontist that loved his community. Dr. Long was born in Buffalo, NY to the late Samuel Anthony Long and Bernice Victoria Long. During his adolescence, Dr. Long volunteered for the Ellicott Creek Fire Company with his father, and attended Sweet Home High School, where he was very popular but kept under watchful eye by his older sisters Sandra and Judy. After high school, Dr. Long attended the University of Louisville, where he was the president of his fraternity, Zeta Beta Tau. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Biology from University of Louisville, Dr. Long drove a truck for Pfizer in Chicago before moving back to Kentucky for dental school. Dr. Long received his DMD from the University of Louisville and was named Alpha Omega Honor for outstanding scholastic achievement in Dentistry, graduating first in his class. He then graduated from Emory University in Orthodontics and Maxillo-Facial Orthopedics in 1976. Dr. Long began his orthodontic practice working for Dr. Alan Goldman, where he mastered his craft. Dr. Long then went on to open his own practices in College Park, Thomaston, Douglasville, Hiram, and Fayetteville, Georgia. In 1996, Dr. Long opened his office in Newnan and in 2008, opened an additional office in Peachtree City. In 2015 Dr. Long sold his practice to Family Orthodontics where he continued to practice in Peachtree City and Newnan until May of 2019. In 1987, Dr. Long met his wife Lisa, whom he adored. After getting married, Lisa and Dr. Long moved to Fayetteville where they had six children together. Outside of his love for orthodontics, Dr. Long found purpose and meaning in raising his family. Dr. Long served as a coach on numerous sports teams that his children we a part of including but not limited to the Fayetteville Mariners, the Fayetteville Raiders, the Coweta Cannons and the Sharpsburg White Sox. All of Dr. Long’s children have served or are currently serving in the military. During the later years of his life, Dr. Long spent his time visiting his children across the globe. All of Dr. Long’s children served in the military, and he was very proud and encouraging of their service. Two of his sons graduated from the United States Naval Academy, two sons from West Point and his two daughters graduated from the Air Force Academy. While his children were serving he spent many of his weekends away visiting and watching them participate in athletics at their respective Service Academies. Dr. Long also served as the President of the West Point Georgia Parent Club, helping other local parents connect and understand the West Point experience by hosting and sponsoring quarterly meetings around the state. Dr. Long has been a member of First Baptist of Newnan for 21 years. At the time of his death, he was on the active board of deacons where just three weeks ago, he attended his last deacons meeting. Dr. Long hosted many events at his home as part of the Chinese ministry at First Baptist to include gatherings for the Chinese pilots training to be aviators in Newnan. Dr. Long loved serving others. He gave his time and resources to orphans at the Rock Ranch in Thomaston, Georgia. He taught his children to love people and to find a purpose in life helping others. Dr. Long often spent his Saturday’s meeting and greeting patients at local schools and community events and served on the Board at the Summit YMCA. Dr. Long loved his work and his patients. He supported the Boy Scouts of America where his sons were actively involved in Troop 175 and 209 and followed them to become Eagle Scouts. Since 1993, Dr. Long has served as a dentist on countless Christian Mission trips to Columbia, Honduras, and Ecuador. Dr. Long had a heart for the underprivileged and hundreds would line up to see him when he would arrive in country. He performed countless extractions to bring people out of suffering and would share the Gospel with his patients. His heart for missions was ongoing and he had planned to take another mission trip in 2020. James found purpose in helping others as an orthodontist and loved bringing smiles to others. Dr. Long lived to work and bring joy to others. In February of 2019, Dr. Long was diagnosed with sepsis, and after an amputation and 6 months in the hospital, Dr. Long returned home where he was nurtured back to health by his family. Throughout his illness, he maintained a positive attitude and a strong desire to continue his craft, bringing smiles to others. Dr. Long never retired and was determined to do what God had purposed him to do all the way until the end. Dr. Long saw his last patient two weeks prior to his passing. Dr. James is survived by his loving wife, Lisa Burton Long; children, James Richard Long II and his wife Jennifer (Huamin), Samuel Quince Long and his wife Jenna, Charles A. Long and his wife Racheal, John C. Long and his wife Chloe, Lainie Long Hoffer and her husband Lucas, Lindy Long Jones and her husband Tyler, James Tyler Long; grandchildren, Alice Long, Quince Long; sisters, Sandra Long Williams, Judy Long, mother-in-law Pat Burton who was married to the late Quince Lamar Burton. The celebration of life service will be held on Sunday, December 1, 2019 at First Baptist Church of Newnan at 2:00 PM with Dr. Jimmy Patterson officiating. The family will receive friends Saturday evening, November 30th from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM at McKoon Funeral Home, 38 Jackson Street, in Newnan. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.mckoon.com.

James Richard Long

March 4, 1947 - November 22, 2019