Jason Allen Long, age 32, of Edinburg, VA, died Friday, December 31, 2010, in a tragic airplane crash in Weyers Cave, VA.
Jason is remembered by those who knew and loved him for his kind, loyal, and generous nature. He derived great joy from being able to help others. Friends and family can recount many times that they were the beneficiaries of his graciousness and compassion. Jason was known for his infectious grin, mischievous twinkle in his eyes, and spontaneous sense of humor. Though modest about his accomplishments, he was a free soul who lived life to the fullest and chased his dreams until they became a reality.
Jason is survived by his parents, Jim Allen Long and Laura Swartz Long of Edinburg, VA; sister, Sara Jane Long, of Leesburg, VA and her fiancée, Daniel Anderson; Alesia Dawn Hovatter, the love of his life, of Edinburg, VA; paternal grandmother, Nellie Lantz Long of Edinburg, VA; maternal aunts and uncles, Caroline and David Lowman, and Emma and George Drummond, both of Staunton, VA; Nanette and Rick Langhorne, of Gibsonville, NC; cousins, Ron and Denise Lowman, of Staunton, VA; Bryan and Emily Lowman, of Palmyra, VA; Ashley and Steve Berger, of Annandale, VA; Jared Drummond of Richmond, VA; Kemp Langhorne of Gaithersburg, MD; and Wil Langhorne, of Greensboro, NC; paternal aunt and uncle, Sharyn and James Canady of Loganville, GA; cousins Diana and Lance Goldwire of Newnan, GA; Joanne Celorio of Loganville, GA; Michael Celorio of Rockville, MD; and his lifetime friends, Matthew and Lydia DiNardo of Woodstock, VA.
He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Marion and Jane Swartz; and paternal grandfather, Homer A. Long, Jr.
Jason, a third generation pilot, was an experienced aviator with over 2,200 hours of logged flight time. He held licenses in the United States and Canada for Commercial Airplane Multi-Engine Land (AMEL), Airplane Single Engine Land (ASEL), and Instrument Rating. In addition, he was a licensed Professional Flight Instructor for ASEL, AMEL, and Instrument Rating. Jason's career objective was to advance his career in aviation by continuing to build on his experiences as a pilot, mechanic, and flight instructor so that he could continue to provide a professional service and a high level of safety. During his career as a pilot, Jason participated in flight operations in the United States, Canada, and the Arctic Regions. Other flight experience included assignments in South America, Australia, Russia, Japan, Guam, Okinawa, and a transpacific ferry operation. He served as an FAA Aviation Safety Representative for the Washington Flight Standards District Office (FSDO).
At the time of his death, Jason was working on the restoration of a 1946 Aeronca Champ airplane, and he was in the process of completing his FAA Airframe and Powerplant Mechanical Certification, having completed his apprenticeship.
Jason was born October 23, 1978, in Woodstock, VA. He graduated from Central High School in 1997. While a student at Central, he began his competitive running career as a member of the Cross Country and Track Teams, where he distinguished himself as a middle and long distance runner and set school records in the following events: the Cross Country (5K), 800m, 1600m, 3200m, and member of the record-setting 4 x 800 Relay. Jason was a five time Single A State Champion in Track in the 800m, 1600m, and 4 x 400 Relay. His senior year, he set the state record of 1:53.56 in the 800m, a record that still stands today. He was a member of the Central High School Track Team that won the 1996 Single A Track and Field Championship, and the Cross Country Team that won four consecutive Single A State Championships from 1993 to 1996. Long was the 1996 Single A State Champion in Cross Country, and held All-State honors in 1994 and 1995.
Upon graduating from Central, Jason attended James Madison University (JMU) and graduated in 2001 with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing. During his college years and beyond, he continued his running career, earning numerous accomplishments. The highlights of his JMU athletic career include five-time NCAA All-American honors and five-time All-East honors. In 2000 he was an Olympic Trials Qualifier/Competitor in the 800m. His JMU team ranked number one in the Indoor Distance Medley Relay, Outdoor Distance Medley Relay, and 4 x 1 Mile Relay; and Jason was ranked number one for the Outdoor 800m and still holds this JMU record. The highlight of his post-JMU professional career was his Sub-4 minute mile time of 3:59:99, while sponsored by ASICS. In 2010, Long was named as a top collegiate athlete to the All Colonial Athletic Association's Silver (25th) Anniversary Track Team.
In addition to his passion for aviation and running, Jason was an avid outdoorsman who loved hunting, hiking, mountain and road biking, climbing, canoeing, and floating on the Shenandoah River. Though his pursuit of these interests took him all over the world, it was his love of family and devotion to the family farm that always brought him home.
A memorial service conducted by the Reverend John Cooper will be held on Saturday, January 8, 2011, at 1:00 P.M. at the Long Farm Air Field, 3072 Palmyra Church Road, Edinburg, VA.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial gifts be sent to Shenandoah Community Foundation/Jason A. Long Running/Aviation Scholarship Fund., c/o P. O. Box 31, Woodstock, VA 22664.
The family will receive friends at the home of his parents, Jim and Laura Long at 41 Edinburg Reservoir Road, Edinburg, VA.
Condolences may be sent to
www.dellingerfuneralhome.com
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