Obituary of Jonathan Matthew Long

Jonathan Matthew Long of Haw River, North Carolina, died on June 15, 2018 at 41 years of age after fighting a fierce battle with cancer.  He was a kind and loving husband and father with a quiet manner and an infectious smile who used his amazing math skills to build Legos and do woodwork with his two boys.  Jonathan loved scuba diving and Hawaiian shirts and learned to love cats. Jonathan was friendly and outgoing and spoke to every person he passed in the street.  He showed his love with service to family, friends, his community, and to his country.  He volunteered for 15 years with Alamance County Rescue Dive Team and was also trained in Swift Water rescue.  Jonathan was strong and selfless and gave 110% of himself to everything that was important to him. He fought cancer with bravery and grace and there is a hole in the world without him.

Jonathan was born in Burlington, North Carolina on August 25, 1976.  He played football at East Carteret High School and after graduating in 1995, he served in the Air Force from 1995-1998, including deployment in Operation Desert Storm.  His Air Force training resulted in a 20-year career in computer systems engineering, working for various Triangle companies, most recently Nutanix in Durham, NC.

He is survived by his loving wife, Leah Margaret Tilden, his sons Connor Matthew, age 14 and Jason Matthew, age 5; his parents Bobby Thomas Long and Mitzi Gail Stewart Long, his brother Michael Thomas Long, nephew Jacob Long, niece Michelle Nicole Long Ward and her children Joseph and Hallie, his grandparents Billy Thomas Long and Helen Pendergraph Long. Also, Leah’s parents, Sandra and Bryan Tilden, Leah’s sister Hilary Katherine and her husband Joseph Andrew Cook and daughter Margaret Ann; their extended family; and all his “beach” cousins.

A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held on Monday, June 25^th at 2:00 pm at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, and then interment of cremains with military honors at the Church Memorial Garden, 300 East Rosemary Street, Chapel Hill, NC.  Arrangements are by Walker ‘s Funeral Services in Chapel Hill. Donations in his memory are appreciated.

Melanoma Research Foundation, PO Box 759329, Baltimore, MD 21275

Alamance County Rescue Squad, PO Box 615, Graham, NC 27253

South Orange Rescue, PO Box 128, Carrboro, NC  27510

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 300 East Rosemary Street, Chapel Hill, NC  27514