Obituary for Lester Ray Long Jr.
Lester Ray Long, Jr., at the age of only 66, passed away suddenly on July 9, 2020. Having the same name as his father, he was lovingly called “Les” by his parents, the late Lester and Mary Long, from the day he was born on November 11, 1953. That is, of course, unless he was in trouble for playing practical jokes on his three sisters, to which he was promptly called Lester!
While Les was born in Brooklyn, New York, he spent the majority of his childhood in Freeport, NY and attended Freeport High School. Soon after graduating, Les followed in his father’s footsteps and enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he proudly served our country for over a decade.
Les spent the majority of his adult life in Upstate SC, where he enjoyed fishing, working on cars, helping anyone in need and bringing laughter and love wherever he went. He was an excellent bowler, for a brief period holding a world record as the youngest person to bowl a 300 game. He loved the Yankees and “his” Clemson Tigers.
However, his greatest love was his family, especially his two daughters (“his girls”) and all of his grandchildren (“his babies”).
Les is survived by his children, Jennifer and Mikkie Belk, Alicia and Ricky Littleton; grandchildren, Christopher Simmons, Samantha Presley, Jeffery Presley, Izabella Littleton, Izaiah Littleton; siblings, Linda Pinkel, Carrie Rhem; nieces and nephews, Deborah Puglisi, Karyn Zubko, Kevin Zubko, Brian Zubko, Kristin Cook, Brandon Rice, Kerri Coleman, Rachel Pinkel, Rebekah Pinkel and their families; and his best friends, Tony Scalamandre and Joe Lee. He was predeceased by his parents, his big sister, Rose Zubko, and his wife of 23 years, Debra Long.
The family will have a visitation on Monday, July 20, 2020 from 3-4 at Palmetto Mortuary, followed by a service from 4-5.
While Les was born in Brooklyn, New York, he spent the majority of his childhood in Freeport, NY and attended Freeport High School. Soon after graduating, Les followed in his father’s footsteps and enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he proudly served our country for over a decade.
Les spent the majority of his adult life in Upstate SC, where he enjoyed fishing, working on cars, helping anyone in need and bringing laughter and love wherever he went. He was an excellent bowler, for a brief period holding a world record as the youngest person to bowl a 300 game. He loved the Yankees and “his” Clemson Tigers.
However, his greatest love was his family, especially his two daughters (“his girls”) and all of his grandchildren (“his babies”).
Les is survived by his children, Jennifer and Mikkie Belk, Alicia and Ricky Littleton; grandchildren, Christopher Simmons, Samantha Presley, Jeffery Presley, Izabella Littleton, Izaiah Littleton; siblings, Linda Pinkel, Carrie Rhem; nieces and nephews, Deborah Puglisi, Karyn Zubko, Kevin Zubko, Brian Zubko, Kristin Cook, Brandon Rice, Kerri Coleman, Rachel Pinkel, Rebekah Pinkel and their families; and his best friends, Tony Scalamandre and Joe Lee. He was predeceased by his parents, his big sister, Rose Zubko, and his wife of 23 years, Debra Long.
The family will have a visitation on Monday, July 20, 2020 from 3-4 at Palmetto Mortuary, followed by a service from 4-5.