Bio was from 50th reunion 2012

James W. “Jim” Long died on January 26, 2018, following a struggle with pulmonary fibrosis. He was 73. (July 2, 1944 — January 26, 2018)

Jim was born July 2, 1944, to William S. Long and Janice M. Long (née Pugh). He grew up in southern California, graduating from Hoover High School in Glendale in 1962. Jim was a competitive swimmer in both high school and at UCLA, where he received his Bachelors of Science degree in Anthropology in 1966.

During the Vietnam War, Jim served as an Army combat medic. Following his discharge from the Army, a deep commitment to education led him to complete courses for his teaching certification at Long Beach State University.

While completing his army service at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, Jim met Karla Andrews, and they married on August 4, 1972. Jim and Karla moved to Oregon in 1973, eventually settling in Albany.

After completing his Masters of Science at Oregon State University in 1975, Jim devoted the next thirty years to science education in his capacity as a middle school and high school teacher and, later, as an instructor in teacher training programs at Western Oregon University and Oregon State University.

Jim had a broad spectrum of interests, from music and literature to computers and marine biology. He was an avid hiker and climber and loved to backpack with his family. In retirement, he rediscovered an early passion for photography and created many beautiful pictures of the natural world.

Jim is survived by his wife, Karla; son, Ethan (Cindy Schendel) of Beaverton; daughter, Tulley (Frank Miller) of Roseville, Minnesota; five beloved grandchildren; and brother, Robert (Lori Patino) of South Carolina.

A memorial will be held at 2 p.m. on March 9, 2018, at the Albany United Methodist Church.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Albany Public Schools Foundation or The Nature Conservancy.