Mr. Marlin Clarence Long, Jr.

December 10, 1946 - April 16, 2019

Marlin Clarence Long, Jr. from Buffalo MO, went home to be with the Lord Tuesday morning, April 16, 2019, after a brief battle with cancer at age 72. Marlin was born in Texarkana, AR on December 10, 1946 to Marlin Clarence Long Sr., a Medical Technician for the Federal Prison Service, and Mildred Reba Long (Gannaway), he was their only child. When Marlin Jr. was four, the Long family moved to Florence, AZ to help relieve his health issues. Marlin often spoke fondly of his time in southern Arizona, where he led his high school baseball team to a State Championship in 1966 as a senior pitcher. After high school Marlin attended Eastern Arizona Community College. In 1969 Marlin and Joann Humphrey were united in marriage. To this union two children were born, Laura Marlene and Robert Marion. Marlin and his family moved to Missouri in 1970 where he worked at the Zenith manufacturing facility in Springfield until it closed in 1994. In 1983 Marlin married Judy Sprague and with this union gained another son, Jason Sprague. Marlin worked for the Bolivar Public School District 1994-2009, from which he retired in June of 2009. Marlin is survived by his wife Judy Long, daughter Marlene Kirby and her husband Jim Kirby of Bolivar MO, son Robert Long of Springfield MO, son Jason Sprague and his wife Cyndi of Buffalo MO, and grandchildren; Shelbie and husband Kyle Lotz, Mallory and husband Curtis Jones, Clay Long, Devin Sprague, Sydnee Kirby, Damon Sprague, and six great-grandchildren. Marlin was preceded in death by his father Marlin Clarence Long Sr. and his mother Mildred Reba Long. Marlin Clarence Long Jr. will be remembered for his superior work ethic, his willingness to always give a helping hand, his love of the outdoors, and for always being there. We love you Dad! Funeral services will be conducted at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, April 19, 2019 at the Cantlon Otterness & Viets Funeral Home with Pastor Joshua Keeny and Dr. Robert Baker officiating. Escorts will be Devin Sprague, Damon Sprague, Clay Long, Robert Long, Jason Sprague, Kyle Lotz, Curtis Jones, and Ryan Wilkinson. Music will be provided by Pastor Joshua Keeny & Brittany Keeny. Interment will be in the Memorial Gardens of Memory Cemetery under the direction and care of the Cantlon Otterness & Viets Funeral Home of Buffalo. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the American Cancer Society or the Bible Baptist Church Youth Building Fund.