Alton G. Long • 1919- 2009

Alton G. Long, 90, longtime Minot resident, formerly of Granville, ND, died Thursday, September 24, 2009 in a Minot nursing home.

Alton George Long was born on February 22, 1919, a son of Alton H. and Florence B. (Purdy) Long in Miles City, MT. He came to North Dakota as a young child and graduated from Granville High School in 1937. In 1939, he joined the CCC and was stationed at Foxholm, ND where he was named the Assistant Educational Director and later the steward of the canteen. He also was editor of the Peavy Press, the camp newspaper.

On October 15, 1940, Alton enlisted into the US Army National Guard, and following the attack on Pearl Harbor found himself in active duty. He proudly served his country receiving the Good Conduct Medal, American Defense Medal and Ribbon, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Ribbon and the ETO Ribbon. He was honorably discharged on September 23, 1945.

Alton was united in marriage to Genevieve Covell on November 26, 1944 in Granville, ND. They made their home in Fort Smith, AK, until Alton was sent to Europe until the end of the war. Following his return, they made their home in Granville, where Alton owned and operated Gamble's Hardware. He also served as a policeman in Granville. In 1951, he joined the Minot Police Department and for several years was in charge of school patrol. He continued to work for the City of Minot for 28 years, later as a purchasing agent, technician for the voting machines and Superintendent of the Sanitation Department. When he took over the sanitation department, it was his job to clean up and close the old open dump and transition to the landfill method of refuse disposal, one of the first such operations in the state. Alton retired from the City of Minot in 1979, however quickly realized that as "a people person", he needed to remain in the workforce. That determined, he began selling specialty advertising items to local business people. He loved the opportunity this gave him to "shoot the breeze" with friends, old and new, regularly. Ultimately it was the adventure of travel that convinced Alton to retire. Alton and Genevieve traveled often, usually by car, meandering the country's back highways and byways enjoying as much of each beautiful region as they possibly could. Genevieve died May 28, 2008, at the age of 86.

Alton was a member of the Congregational United Church of Christ, VFW, Last Man's Club and the American Legion, all of Minot.

Those who shared his life: Children, Dennis Long and his special friend, Jody, rural Minot, Laddie (DeEtt) Long, Minot, Larry Long, Miami Beach, FL, Sharon (David) Schroeder, Minot, and Gary (Lynnette) Long, Minot; grandchildren, Elaine (K.C.) O'Fallon, Lynn (Monica) Long, and Michael (Mary) Long; Jim (Kim) Long, Pam (Andy) Byzewski, and Brad Long and their mother, Diane Long-Schwab; Heather (Duane) Helms and Tiffany Long (Shannon Brown); Jonathon and Justin Schroeder, and Joshua, Jaymee, and Drew Long; numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren, Sister: Doris (Stanley) Connors, Kalispell, MT; step-sister Mary Alyce Penfield, Bruce, WI; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Alton was preceded in death by his parents, wife of 64 years Genevieve, son Dale (who passed away August 6, 1994); grandson Allen Long, brother Donald Long, step-brother Jack Barnett.

Visitation: There will be no reviewal, however, people may sign a register book on Thursday one hour prior to service time at the church.

Memorial Service: Thursday, October 1, 2009 at 10:30 am at the Congregational United Church of Christ, Minot

Burial: Thursday, at 1pm at Granville Community Cemetery, Granville, ND

Memorials are preferred to the Minot State University Summer Theater program.

Officiant: Rev. Frank Picard

Music: Congregational hymns
"Morning Has Broken" "Battle Hymn of The Republic"
"Happy Trails"
Rick Stevens, vocalist to offer
"You Raise Me Up" and "Gone Too Soon"
Arlyce Nylander, organist

Honorary Urn Bearers: Alton's Family and friends

Military Honors accorded by the North Dakota Army National Guard.

Immediately following the memorial service there will be lunch and fellowship in the fellowship hall of the church, located in the lower level.

Those wishing to attend the graveside service are asked to meet at the cemetery at 1 pm. There will be no formal procession.

Alton's family would like to thank everyone for the many acts of kindness shown to them during this difficult time, Your thoughts and prayers are greatly appreciated and will never be forgotten. May God bless the memory of Alton.

To sign the online guest register for Alton
To view the online guest register for Alton

To view the outside of Alton's folder
To view the inside of Alton's folder

To view the outside the insert to Alton's folder
To view the inside of the insert to Alton's folder

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