Blair Richard Long

Blair Richard Long, oldest son of Richard Dean Long and Marlene Bringhurst Long, was born on September 5, 1952 at the Fairchild Air Force Base in Spokane, WA. His father, Richard, was in the Air Force waiting to deploy to the Korean War effort.

As an infant, Blair had to return to the hospital for a minor surgery and then he and his mother, Marlene, returned to Idaho to live with his maternal grandparents, Louis and Grace Bringhurst, on their farm in Tyhee. His grandfather was a farmer and Blair loved to ride on the tractor as Louis plowed the ground and he accompanied his grandfather doing other activities around the farm. Blair grew up with the idea that he wanted to be a farmer.

Upon Richard's return from Korea, the family moved to San Rafael, CA to the Hamilton Air Force Base. Blair loved to go to the beach. While in California Blair was blessed with a little sister, Nanette. Richard was then discharged from the Air Force and the family moved back to Idaho, the best place on earth. There Blair was surrounded by many extended family members and grandparents he loved.

He attended Tyhee Elementary School, Hawthorne Junior High School, and Highland High School. During those years his brothers, Jeffrey, Dwight, and Nathan joined the family.

Blair and Dwight went to Rexburg after the Teton Dam broke to help with the cleanup. After they had finished their assignment, he suggested they check on Max Miller, a good friend of his father. They proceeded to the Miller home but the area was under Marshall Law and they were soon arrested. Thank goodness they were only kept for a few hours and then were able to return home.

Following high school he attended Brigham Young University for a year awaiting his mission call. Great joy came to him when he was called to serve a two-year mission for the Church in the Alaska British Columbia Mission, often called the "ABC Mission." His mission not only covered Alaska and British Columbia, but northern Idaho as well. Blair was very learned in the gospel and had a vast collection of Church books along with many other books as he had a great love of reading.

After coming home from his mission he attended Brigham Young University again for a year. He then returned to Idaho where he continued his great love of farming. He farmed for a while with his best friend, Mark Davis. Together they grew wheat, barley, and potatoes in the Tyhee area and Michaud Flats. He was taking classes on and off through the years and eventually graduated from Idaho State University with a degree in Geology.

Blair married Leona Vulk on December 26, 1992. Together they loved working the land and planted a big garden. They were members of the Farmer's Market where they sold the various fruits and vegetables they grew on his grandfather's farm. A few years ago Leona preceded him in death and that was a hard adjustment for him.

Blair lived in the house behind his parents and checked on them daily. He drove them to doctor appointments, shopping, church, and any other place they needed to go. He was a great support for them.

Blair passed from this life on March 17, 2017 at his home, on the farm he loved.

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