Jimmie Joe "Jim" Long

JIMMIE JOE "JIM" LONG Funeral services for longtime Cortez resident Jimmie Joe "Jim" Long will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, September 12 at Ertel Memorial Chapel. Interment will follow at Cortez Cemetery. Visitation has been scheduled for Wednesday evening from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at Ertel Chapel. Jim was born August 22, 1930 in Shidler, Okla. the son of Albert Lee and Mabel (Vawter) Long. He passed away on Sunday, September 8, 2013 at the age of 83. On August 2, 1950 Jim married Patsy Lea Smith in Oklahoma City, Okla. Patsy passed away after 16 years of marriage and Jim went on to raise three girls all on his own. At the age of six Jim went to work on his grandfather's farm in Oklahoma. When he was 14, Jim went to work in the oil field, this line of work kept Jim employed until his retirement in 1996. In 1944, Jim's father began Lee Long Contracting. Jim was instrumental in relocating the business to Cortez in 1968. Jim was a 25 year member of the Lions Club and he also belonged to the Elks Lodge. In his free time, Jim enjoyed woodworking and building furniture. He was gifted in framing photos and matting. Jim liked riding snowmobiles and horses. He was an excellent cook, taking care of his girls allowed Jim to cultivate his cooking and baking abilities. Surviving Jim are his daughters, Janet Johnson and husband, Danny of Fort Smith, Ark., Patti Karraker and husband, Arny of Cortez and Kathy Long of Cortez; and his grandchildren, Jimmy Joe Maxwell and wife, Stephanie of Cedarville, Ark., Tracie Snow and husband, Richard of Fort Smith, Ark., Aaron Karraker and wife, Kellie of Thornton, Colo., and Abram Karraker and wife, Kimberly of Thornton, Colo. Jim also leaves behind his great-grandchildren, Kaycee and Colby Maxwell, Brennen Booth, Austin, Ayden, and Aubree Karraker, and Bailey, Brooklyn and Rylan Karraker; his great-great-granddaughter, Kendall Karraker, his sister, Peggy Jarrell of Hobbs, N.M.; his sister-in-law, Louise M. Long of Cortez; by numerous loving nieces and nephews; by his many coffee buddies at the Ute Caf and many close friends. Jim was preceded in death by his parents; by his wife, Patsy; by his siblings, Bettye Williamson and Jack C. Long; and by his granddaughter, Mesha Raenel Karraker. Memorial contributions may be made in Jim Long's name to the Lions Club.