Obituary
John Marvin Long, 76, of Grain Valley, Mo., passed into eternal life on January 6, 2026.
He was born on October 8th, 1949, in Greenwood, Mo., to Mary Gladys and Marvin Long. He won the Healthiest Baby award in 1950 and grew up loving farming. He was active in 4H throughout his school years and graduated from Lee’s Summit High School in 1967.
After high school, John served in the United States Air Force in Vietnam. When he returned, he began his career in television engineering at KCPT channel 19 in Kansas City where he went on to become the vice president of engineering. Later in his career, he switched gears and went to work at the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg until his retirement.
During retirement, he loved spending time with his family, his chihuahuas, his cat, his friends, and his tractors. Last year, he took 3rd place in the Tractor division of the Kansas City Car Show.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Tari Hodges, his brother, Steven Long, and his parents, Mary Gladys and Marvin Long. He is survived by his daughter, Amy Long, of Gladstone; his daughter, Heather Long, his son-in law, Dominic Patillo, and his grandchildren, Powell and Zoe Patillo, of Portland, Ore.; his nephew and niece, Jeremy and Melissa Long, of Lee’s Summit; and his many other family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the National Kidney Foundation or the American Heart Association.
A celebration of life for John and Tari will be held on January 19th, 2026, at 1pm at Dusty Shelf Farm, 551 SE 150 Highway, Greenwood, Mo.
Condolences
Services
Greenwood, MO 64034
I’ve known John and Steve since we were kids in the Greenwood hustlers 4H club. I spoke with John several times in the last 2 years and did the mowing on the property on 150 Hwy. John told me about his many health issues and so much time spent in hospitals. He struggled to speak clearly but he loved to talk about old times. I will miss him but he will no longer struggle he will be reborn
Worked with John at channel 19 and also on some freelance sports shows. He had a great sense of humor and always like being with him. RIP John 🙏
I am so sorry for your loss.
John Long was a cool-headed engineer at public broadcast stations KMOS-TV and KTBG-FM (90.9 The Bridge). He knew electrons, and he knew people, as his engineering team worked together well across the two platforms and three different locales. (The home/studio base on the UCM campus, and the two transmitter sites.)
He could be a bit short with rigamarole, which happens occasionally in a large bureaucratic organization like a university campus, but he was always amenable to honest-to-goodness human interaction. He made many of the rest of the TV and radio staff seem like they were part of the “Engineering Team.” And he had a warm laugh.
Seems to me he’s tending to the circuitry even now.
John’s family and my family were neighbors and friends since i was little. He was a good man. I know he was struggling with health issues and am saddened to know he is gone. My heart goes out to his family and friends. I hope he finds his favorite tractor in heaven.
So sorry to hear of John’s passing. He was always a welcome addition to the station. Had a great sense of humor, always friendly, helpful. He was a great friend, great person!
John (aka Johnny during his childhood years) and I first met in kindergarten at Greenwood Elementary School in Greenwood, Missouri. We were both four years old soon to be five in October 1954. We would be friends through high school and beyond. John’s paternal grandfather (Mr. Long to his young passengers) was the school bus driver on the rural route where my family lived. John’s maternal grandfather’s (Mr. Hitt) farm was located east of the Long residence. Spending time during his youth helping his grandfather raise livestock, cultivate and harvest crops, maintain and repair mechanical equipment shaped John’s life long interest in farming. He enjoyed participating in 4-H competitions and FFA classes during high school. I should mention that he was a pretty good trombone player in the LSHS band. Our contact with each other became less frequent following high school graduation. We both found happiness being parents and experiencing careers we could not have imagined while students at Greenwood Elementary. Covid interrupted our plans to enjoy at BBQ lunch get together in Lee’s Summit. A few years later we spoke and I learned that John had spent 6 months undergoing treatment and rehab for covid. Last Fall (September and November) we spoke again. John’s voice sounded stronger and we agreed to keep in touch, possibly sharing BBQ in the Spring. The story doesn’t end here. I hear the best BBQ is served in heaven. Save a spot for the rest of us. God bless you John.
I will miss you John. I know Jeremy misses you too, he is very sad.
There is so much to say about your kind and caring heart that doesn’t go far enough. After so much suffering and pain , I am thankful for the peace you now have with Terri and my parents. Rest in peace and renewed happiness. Love forever Melissa Long and for Jeremy Long.
Sorry to hear of John’s passing. He was always great to be around. I remember helping him with the farm one summer. During my time at KCPT, he helped keep me out of trouble. We did have some good conversations! RIP my friend.
Such a tragic week – first the loss of Tari, then you. Thank you for loving Tari. I know in his last days, Tari’s father took great comfort that you were by her side. You two were a great match out in the country with your “menagerie” of critters – both wild and tamed. There is comfort with you and Tari being back together – at peace in the arms of the Lord. 🙏❤️
Janet Hale (Tari’s cousin)
John took a chance on hiring me at KCPT. I learned a lot about the world of broadcasting working under his leadership. RIP, John.