Beloved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, Eugene Richard Long, passed away peacefully Sunday, April 13, 2014, at home under the care of his family and Hospice of North Idaho.

Gene was born in Bonners Ferry, Idaho, to Leslie Richard and Emma Abigail Long on October 16, 1929. He grew up on a dairy farm in Copeland, Idaho, and attended Bonners Ferry high school. 

Eugene served his country during the Korean War. He was inducted into the Army and served two years. He was a Forward Observer in the 15th Infantry Regiment, Company A-68th Medium Tank Battalion-CCB, 6th Armored Division, 3rd Platoon. He obtained the Combat Infantry Badge, Korean Service Medal with two Bronze Service Stars, and the United Nations Service Medal. In addition, he obtained several awards for rifle marksmanship.

Within two weeks upon his return from the war, Gene married his sweetheart, Betty Gross (Padgett-VanEtten). They were married on November 23, 1952.  

In his early career, Gene drove truck for Carnation Milk, transporting local dairy farmers' milk from Porthill to Sandpoint, Idaho. After selling the milk route, he worked for Boundary County for a few years, and then in 1957 Gene purchased his family's dairy farm in Copeland. He moved his family to Spokane, Wash., in 1963, and attended Spokane Community College where he studied professional baking. Gene worked for Albertsons, Rosauers, and Safeway. In addition, he leased and managed the IGA bakery in St. Maries, Idaho. He later owned Leonard's Bakery in the Spokane Valley, and Blue Mountain Bakery in Dayton, Wash.

Gene's great love for the outdoors included hobbies such as hunting, fishing in the Kootenai River for sturgeon, and travel to Alaska to fish for salmon and halibut. 

Gene was preceded in death by his parents, Dick and Abby Long of Copeland, Idaho; sister, Millie Drake, of Bonners Ferry, Idaho; and sister, Marion Nelson, of Seattle, Wash. He is survived by Betty, his wife of 61 years, four daughters: Margaret Cultice of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, Pamela Onstott of Post Falls, Idaho, Clareen Franke of Pullman, Wash., and Eugenia Pittman of Lewiston, Idaho; brother, Edward Long of Colbert, Wash., 10 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

Viewing will be held 1-7 p.m., Thursday, April 24, and Friday, April 25, at English Funeral Chapel in Post Falls, Idaho. A memorial service will be held at11 a.m., Saturday, April 26, with burial to follow at Evergreen Cemetery in Post Falls. A reception provided by his daughters will follow. The family suggests memorial contributions in lieu of flowers to Hospice of North Idaho in Hayden. Please visit Eugene's online memorial page atwww.englishfuneralchapel.com and sign his guestbook.