James (Jim) A. Long of Lawrence, passed away at the age of 78 on July 27, 2022 at Bridge Haven Memory Care. He is survived by his wife, Larissa; a brother, John W. Long of Wichita; a stepdaughter, Kerri and husband Matt Lawlor, three grandsons, Calvin, Nolan and Tyson, all of Highlands Ranch, CO; and a sister-in-law Linda Allen and partner, Sally Cook.

Jim was born to the parents of John Warren and Lucille Long on March 4, 1944 in Newton, Kansas and graduated from Newton High School. He was president of the 1962 graduating class, and proudly attended and presided over the “Railroaders” class reunions every 5 years.

Jim retired from the University of Kansas in 2009, having been employed in the field of higher education for 33 years. He served as the Director for Outreach Development for KU from 2007-2009; as Vice-Provost for Facilities, Planning & Management from 1999-2007; as Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Director of the Kansas Unions from 1994-1999 and as Director of the Kansas & Burge Unions from 1983-1994. He chaired the KU Campus Historical Preservation Board from 2000-2009. Jim received the Citation for Leadership and Achievement in Student Services at the University of Kansas and in appreciation for his years of service at KU, an endowed scholarship was established at KU Endowment Association.

Prior to joining KU, Jim served as the Associate Director of the University Union at Virginia Polytechnic Institute University from 1972-1983. While attending Emporia State University, he served as the Assistant Director and Program Director for the Memorial Union from 1966-1971.
His professional associations included memberships in the Association of College Unions, the National Association of College Auxiliary Services and the National Association of Campus Activities.

He received his Specialist in Education, Bachelor of Science in Education and Master of Science degrees from Emporia State University.
Jim served in the Kansas National Guard and supervised the Administrative Orders Unit, on Kunsan Air Base, Korea.
His community involvement included serving on the board of directors of the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce and Douglas County United Way. He was a graduate of Leadership Lawrence and was appointed to serve on the Kansas Fire Safety Training Commission by Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius, holding the position from 2004-2009.

He has been described by friends and colleagues as a “man for all seasons” for the division of Student Affairs and the University. His talents and concerns extended beyond the Kansas Union to the programs and people of Kansas University and were demonstrated many times during his service directing the Lawrence campus facilities planning and operations program. He will always be remembered for his dry wit and admonishments to “dot the i’s and cross the t’s”.