Denis G. Long

Denis G. Long, 89, died Sunday February 26, 2023 at Grangeville Health and Rehabilitation Center Of Cascadia. 

Denis was born May 27, 1933 on the family ranch in the foothills southwest of Grangeville, to Ralph D. and Carrie Lee Grant Long.  He attended school in Grangeville and graduated from the University of Idaho in 1956 with a B.S. in General Agriculture.  After teaching at Salmon River High School for three years, he entered ranching with his father, which he continued until his death.

He married Anne A. Granville Payne on January 10, 1968.

Denis’s interests included history, reading, creative writing, family, and hunting.  He also had an avid interest in skiing which he shared with many others as a ski instructor at Snowhaven.  He was very proud of his ranch and family roots in the Grangeville area, dating back to the 1880’s.  He loved Hereford cattle, working in the woods and stewardship of his ranch.

He served on the board of the Idaho Soil and Water Conservation District and the Central Committee of the Idaho County Democrats.  He was a member and Past Master of the Idaho Lodge #9 AF&AM of Idaho and Mountain Queen Chapter #11 Order of the Eastern Star of Idaho.  He was a Level II Certified Ski Instructor of the Pacific Northwest Ski Instructors Association.

He was a member of the White Bird Community Church.  He was interested in theology and became a Certified Lay Minister in the United Methodist Church, assigned to the Grangeville Parish, which he served for 11 years, and was assigned pastor of the Nezperce Community UMC Church.

Survivors include three children, Dean (Jo-Ann) Payne of Seattle, Jeff (Jeralyn) Payne of Grangeville, and Karen Payne (John Latimer) of Bellingham, WA; three grandchildren, Julia and Caroline Latimer of Bellingham, and Matthew Payne of Bainbridge Island, WA; and many, many friends that assisted, were there for him, and brightened his life in his later years. 

Preceding him in death were his wife, and his infant brother Thomas.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, March 11, 2023 at the United Methodist Church in Grangeville.  He requested that memorials be sent to the American Heart Association. Arrangements are under the direction of Blackmer Funeral Home, Grangeville. 

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