Kenneth R. Long, 76

Passed away Feb. 1, 2016, in Post Falls, Idaho. He was born Jan. 3, 1940, in Oakland, Calif., to Robert and Lillian (Herspring) Long.

After high school graduation, he entered the U.S. Air Force and began training as a radar tech for the new generation of fighter jets. After completion of service, he married Barbara Bancroft and resided in the Bay area of California where they had a daughter, Donelle. After the death of Barbara, Ken raised his daughter as a single parent. Ken was a bus driver for AC Transit for 29 years until his retirement in 1995. At that time he moved to Hayden, Idaho, a place he found on vacations of years past.

Ken was a big gun nut, voracious reader, huge football fan, friend to all that met him and most of all, he was a devoted and loving father to his daughter, Donelle. She was and is his best friend. He was a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association, strong supporter of the Second Amendment and past member of Atlas Gun Club. Ken was a widower since 1973 after the loss of his wife, Barbara (Barbie) Long.

He is survived by his daughter, Donelle Marie Kilby and son-in-law Curtis Kilby; grandchildren Madison K. (16) and Hunter T. (9); brother Robert Long and sister-in-law Ann Long of California; nephew Bob Long of Oregon and longtime cat buddy Cleo. He was preceded in death by his wife and parents.

Memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Friday, April 1, 2016, at Heritage Funeral Chapel, 508 N. Government Way, Spokane.